The NBA’s premier contest for Thursday’s slate is a Western Conference showdown between the surging Golden State Warriors (44-31) facing the struggling Los Angeles Lakers (46-29).
Golden State has won 12 of its past 15 games, including a seven-game winning streak against some of the Eastern Conference’s playoff-bound competition. Currently, the Warriors are riding a three-game winning streak, defeating only one team that’s sure to make the postseason in that stretch.
The Lakers are 6-8 over the last 14 games, sporting a pair of losing skids during that stretch. Its losses included defeats by Brooklyn and Chicago, teams that are among the Eastern Conference’s worst franchises this season.
Can Los Angeles prove its worth against the Western Conference’s standard over the last decade? We’ll answer that as well as provide our three favorite NBA player prop bets for tonight’s game.
| Player | Prop | Price |
|---|
| Jimmy Butler | Over 22.5 Points | |
| Jimmy Butler | Under 22.5 Points | |
Golden State Warriors SF Jimmy Butler UNDER 18.5 Points
Golden State made a move for Jimmy Butler, adding the former Miami Heat’s disgruntled star to their star-studded starting lineup. Since suiting up for the Warriors, Butler has been anything but a superstar, averaging 17.5 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.6 rebounds for his new team.
He’s led the Warriors in scoring only three times thus far, and he’s finished above 19 points in only 11 contests thus far. Expect Rui Hachimura and LeBron James to keep him from having a strong game, and bettors should take the under on this player prop bet.
| Player | Prop | Price |
|---|
| Luka Doncic | Over 8.5 Rebounds | |
| Luka Doncic | Under 8.5 Rebounds | |
Los Angeles Lakers G Luka Doncic OVER 7.5 Rebounds
The Lakers made the biggest move in the NBA this season, stealing Luka Doncic from Dallas. Since arriving in Los Angeles, he’s underachieved compared to his days with the Mavericks, averaging 27.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game.
While his scoring is down, he’s ability to rebound has remained intact. The 6-foot-6 superstar has finished with eight or more rebounds in all but five of his team’s games in March, showing that he’s still doing the work on the glass for the Lakers. Expect him to continue that against the Warriors on Thursday, finishing with at least eight boards to cover this prop bet.
| Player | Prop | Price |
|---|
| Stephen Curry | Over 4.5 Threes | |
| Stephen Curry | Under 4.5 Threes | |
Golden State Warriors PG Stephen Curry OVER 4.5 3-Point Field Goals
Despite adding Butler, the Warriors’ offense continues to run through Steph Curry. The point guard proved that on Tuesday when he popped off for 52 points, including a 12-of-20 three-point showing against the Grizzlies. It’s his second game in three outings with at least five trifectas.
When you’ve made over 4,000 three-point shots in your career, it’s hard to bet against Curry anytime to at least make five long-range shots in a single game. He’s done that twice in three matchups against the Lakers and expect him to make it a third time on Thursday as he covers this player prop bet.
Best Bet: Los Angeles (-1.5)
The Warriors have fallen to Los Angeles in all three regular season matchups this year, and the closest game was a two-point loss earlier this season. The Lakers have had Golden State’s number this year despite both squads’ revolving-door lineups. Expect Los Angeles to continue its dominance against their Western Conference foe on Thursday.
