Warriors vs Lakers Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 4/3/25
- J.A. Cavalier
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
GOLDEN STATE @ LA LAKERS (LAL -2, 228.5)
NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS
WARRIORS @ LAKERS 4/3/25
A preview of the possible first-round playoff matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers is scheduled for tonight in Los Angeles. The Lakers and Warriors are reviving their championship DNA as they make their championship runs thanks to trade deadline moves.
Golden State is 19-5 since February 8 thanks to Steph Curry's improved play and Jimmy Butler's February addition. After being traded by the Miami Heat, Butler made his Warriors debut.
Curry put on another display on Tuesday, leading Golden State to a 134-125 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on the road with 52 points. Curry made 12 three-pointers, matching a season high, demonstrating that his renowned shooting ability has not diminished.
Draymond Green recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, while Butler added 27 points. Golden State played without Jonathan Kuminga (pelvis) and Gary Payton II (thumb). Kuminga is listed as day-to-day. Butler averages 17.5 points per game for the Warriors, and Golden State benefits from his defensive play and basketball acumen.
Luka Doncic joined the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks in February in exchange for Anthony Davis. He has been a season-saver of his own. Doncic scored 20 points in Monday's 104-98 victory over the Houston Rockets at home. Doncic has averaged 27.2 points with his new team.
LeBron James continues to lead the Lakers, and despite scoring just 16 points in the game on Monday, his eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals got Los Angeles to the end. With 20 points apiece from Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent, the Lakers' bench is also contributing. The Lakers' bench was outscored 46–32 by the Rockets' reserves.
Los Angeles is working to encourage Finney-Smith to shoot more, and the coaches' and teammates' assurance is helping. He hit 6 out of 11 threes on Monday. Vincent also made six three-pointers against Houston.
Doncic aggravated an elbow injury in the win over Houston. He does intend to play tonight. The Lakers have won all three games against Golden State this season. The most recent was on Feb. 6, a 120-112 Lakers win. James had 42 points. Curry had 37 for the Warriors.
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COACH RICK FREE PICK:
LUKA DONCIC OVER 43.5 PRA
Doncic has gone Over this PRA number in 8 of his last 10 games, averaging 46.7 PRA in those ten. If you go back 20 games, he’s cleared this prop 15 times and he’s gone Over this number in 61 percent of the games he’s played this season. Doncic averages 27.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.9 assists - 43.6 PRA - for the season. In his last game against Golden State (he was playing for Dallas at the time), Doncic went off for 45 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds. He’s gone Over this number in 4 of his last 5 games against the Warriors, averaging 51.4 PRA.