by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Apr 08, 2026
Game Time: 10:00 pm ET, Thursday, April 9, 2026
Venue: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Lakers +5.5, Warriors -5.5; Over/Under: 225.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Lakers +5.5, Warriors -5.5; Over/Under: 225.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Lakers +4.5, Warriors -4.5; Over/Under: 225.5 points
Season Record
Los Angeles Lakers: 50-29 (1st place, Pacific Division)
Golden State Warriors: 37-42 (4th place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Lakers: 6-4 last 10
Golden State Warriors: 4-6 last 10
Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors Preview and Analysis
The Lakers are entering this game with a 50-29 record overall this season and they are 24-16 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 3 game losing streak with losses coming against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Thunder again. Rui Hachimura led the team in points in that game with 15 while Drew Timme and Nick Smith Jr. each were next on the team with 11 points. Luke Kennard led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Jake LaRavia led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 43.8% from the field, 34.6% from 3-point range, and 45.2% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 116.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 115.3 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 43-36 this season and their O/U record is 41-38.
The Warriors are entering this game with a 37-42 record overall this season and they are 22-18 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Sacramento Kings. De'Anthony Melton led the team in points in that game with 21 while Brandin Podziemski was next on the team with 20 points. Draymond Green led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Charles Bassey led the team in rebounds with 12. They were 45.1% from the field, 44.7% from 3-point range, and 79.2% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 114.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 115 PPG against them. The Warriors have an ATS record of 35-44 this season and their O/U record is 47-32.
Lakers vs Warriors Prediction
The current betting odds have the Warriors listed as a 5.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Warriors haven't looked great in their games this season with their 37-42 record overall which has them in the bottom half of the West. They have looked a lot better on their home court though with their 22-18 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Lakers have looked great in their games this season with their 50-29 record overall which has them in the top half of the East. They have been a good road team too with their 24-16 road record this year. The Lakers have looked like one of the best teams in the West over the last few weeks, but an injury to Luka Doncic has derailed them a bit. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games, but they haven't looked nearly as good in their games without Doncic and now they have lost 3 games in a row too. They lost 2 of those games against the Thunder who are the best team in the NBA, but they weren't really competitive in either game. The Lakers have also clinched a playoff spot already, so they could be looking more towards the playoffs now with all of their injuries. The Warriors have also clinched a spot in the play-in tournament and they can't really move up in the standings, but they have looked so bad lately that they will be looking to get some momentum going into the play-in tournament. They took a huge blow when they lost Butler for the season and then they lost Curry too, but now Curry is back in the lineup and they are off a win over the Kings in their last one. The Warriors are 4-6 in their last 10 games, but they are starting to turn the corner now that they are getting healthier and they have looked a lot better at home all year. The Warriors need this game a lot more to gain some momentum going into the play-in tournament, so look for them to take advantage of a banged up Lakers team that has fallen on hard times with injuries. The best way to place a bet here is on the Warriors to cover the spread in this game.
Lakers Warriors Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Thursday, April 9, 2026 (10:00 pm ET start time) is Warriors 112 Lakers 103.
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NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles Lakers: Will be posted by 12:00pm ET, 04/09/2026.
Golden State Warriors: Will be posted by 12:00pm ET, 04/09/2026.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Lakers: L. James (SF) Day To Day - Foot. M. Smart (PG) Day To Day - Ankle. A. Reaves (SG) Out - Rib. L. Doncic (PG) Out - Hamstring.
Golden State Warriors: W. Richard (SF) Out - Back. L. Cryer (PG) Out - Illness. G. Santos (PF) Out - Pelvis. Q. Post (C) Day To Day - Foot. A. Horford (C) Out - Calf. M. Moody (SG) Out For Season - Knee. J. Butler III (SF) Out For Season - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“We’ve got to find nine guys that are, like, all in on us fighting. Whatever you got to do to go out and fight and be all-in on the team, we’ll find the nine guys.” - J.J. Redick after his team’s loss against the OKC Thunder in their game on Tuesday.
"Steph was part of that, a couple of poor decisions. Part of him getting back into the game and flow of things. Just feeling multiple games and recognizing decision making is really going to matter." - Steve Kerr after his team’s win against the Kings in their game on Tuesday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Lakers
PG Luke Kennard
SG Jake LaRavia
SF Rui Hachimura
PF LeBron James
C Deandre Ayton
Golden State Warriors
PG Stephen Curry
SG De'Anthony Melton
SF Gui Santos
PF Draymond Green
C Kristaps Porzingis
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Lakers
PPG: Luka Doncic (33.5)
APG: Luka Doncic (8.3)
Reb/G: Deandre Ayton (8)
Golden State Warriors
PPG: Stephen Curry (27)
APG: Draymond Green (5.5)
Reb/G: Charles Bassey (8)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Lakers: JJ Redick (2nd season)
Golden State Warriors: Steve Kerr (12th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
