PREMIUM
Rogers' Friday Night ESPN Fight >> 13-6 This Week, 34-19 All Sports Run!
(NBA) Golden State vs. LA Lakers,
11/04/2016 6:30 PM, Score: 97 - 117
Point Spread: -10.50 | -110.00 Golden State (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -10.50 | -110.00 Golden State (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: Thursday night at Oracle Arena was first meeting for Kevin Durant with his former club and the Warriors rolled to a 122-96 win, in what was an emotional and sometimes-heated contest with the Thunder. Durant scored 29 of his season-high 39 points in the first half, as the Warriors made it four straight wins after shockingly losing their season-opener 129-120 at home to the Spurs. The 2-3 Lakers earned their first road win of the season Wednesday by beating the previously unbeaten Hawks 123-116 in Atlanta, as Luke Walton's first head coaching gig has clearly shown signs of improving LA's fate.
Golden State: Durant badly outplayed former running mate Russell Westbrook in Golden State's convincing 122-96 win, as Westbrook scored just 20 points (on 4 of 15 shooting) with six turnovers. "I put the work in," Durant said afterward. "I have to trust in that and just tried to shoot good shots when I got them." Durant (30.6 & 8.6) is becoming more comfortable with his new teammates and the other three parts of the team's "Core Four" are Curry (25.2 & 4.8 APG), Thompson (17.0) and Green (9.2-10.8-7.2). Pachulia starts at center and has averaged 6.0 & 8.0 in just 20 MPG.
LA Lakers: Luke Walton was Steve Kerr's top assistant for the previous two seasons at Golden State and will be facing the Warriors for the first time in a regular-season game as the Lakers' head coach (teams met twice during the exhibition season, with the Warriors recording wins in both). LA has five players averaging between 12.4 and 16.6 PPG, with PG Russell leading the way, while adding 4.8 APG. Center Timofey Mozgov started the first four games (8.5 & 6.0) but is listed as doubtful for the contest against the Warriors after he sustained a soft tissue contusion around his left eye in a Tuesday defeat against the Indiana Pacers (he sat out Wednesday's win).
The pick: The Warriors are averaging 119.3 points during their four-game winning streak and are now back on top of the NBA by scoring 115.4 PPG and rank second in FG percentage at 49.1 percent from the floor. Walton and the LA Lakers are hoping the Warriors are a little bit flat after trouncing the Thunder but I'm not biting. The talent difference is just too severe. Golden State is an 8* play.
Golden State: Durant badly outplayed former running mate Russell Westbrook in Golden State's convincing 122-96 win, as Westbrook scored just 20 points (on 4 of 15 shooting) with six turnovers. "I put the work in," Durant said afterward. "I have to trust in that and just tried to shoot good shots when I got them." Durant (30.6 & 8.6) is becoming more comfortable with his new teammates and the other three parts of the team's "Core Four" are Curry (25.2 & 4.8 APG), Thompson (17.0) and Green (9.2-10.8-7.2). Pachulia starts at center and has averaged 6.0 & 8.0 in just 20 MPG.
LA Lakers: Luke Walton was Steve Kerr's top assistant for the previous two seasons at Golden State and will be facing the Warriors for the first time in a regular-season game as the Lakers' head coach (teams met twice during the exhibition season, with the Warriors recording wins in both). LA has five players averaging between 12.4 and 16.6 PPG, with PG Russell leading the way, while adding 4.8 APG. Center Timofey Mozgov started the first four games (8.5 & 6.0) but is listed as doubtful for the contest against the Warriors after he sustained a soft tissue contusion around his left eye in a Tuesday defeat against the Indiana Pacers (he sat out Wednesday's win).
The pick: The Warriors are averaging 119.3 points during their four-game winning streak and are now back on top of the NBA by scoring 115.4 PPG and rank second in FG percentage at 49.1 percent from the floor. Walton and the LA Lakers are hoping the Warriors are a little bit flat after trouncing the Thunder but I'm not biting. The talent difference is just too severe. Golden State is an 8* play.
