The Golden State Warriors will try to stay above the first-round playoff line in the NBA's Western Conference when they take on the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.
A 104-98 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday kept LA within a game of the Denver Nuggets for third, while the Warriors beat the Memphis Grizzlies 134-125 on Tuesday, keeping them in the final automatic first-round spot.
Match preview
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Another strong team effort powered the Lakers to victory on Monday, putting them within striking distance of the top two teams in the conference.
No one on the Lakers roster had more than 20 points in their victory versus Houston; however, five were in double figures, and they only missed two of their 20 free throws in the game.
Their current two-match winning streak has put them just 2.5 games back of the Rockets for second, with the Lakers having played one fewer contest, while facing them one more time before the end of the regular season.
JJ Redick's team have won a league-high 29 games at home in the regular season, though they have lost two of their last three encounters at Crypto.com Arena.
A lack of presence on the glass has hampered them throughout the season, with LA collecting the fifth-fewest rebounds per game (42.6).
The Lakers have won all three of their matchups with the Warriors in the 2024-25 campaign, including a 120-112 victory at Crypto.com Arena in early February.
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A blowout loss to the Miami Heat late last month (112-86) appears to have been the wake-up call Golden State needed, with the former seven-time world champions riding a three-game winning streak into this match.
Steve Kerr's side have rediscovered their scoring touch since that aforementioned defeat, putting up nearly 300 points combined (282) in their last two contests.
Golden State have created their share of turnovers, currently fifth in the league regarding steals per game (9.2), though they are still near the bottom in terms of field goal percentage, shooting 45% in that department as a team, good for 26th in the NBA.
Their margin for error to avoid the play-in round is still razor-thin, with the Minnesota Timberwolves just a half-game behind them for that final automatic first-round berth.
On Thursday, Golden State can extend their winning run away from home to four games, outscoring their last three opponents in the fourth quarter by a combined 28 points (96-68).
Throughout the campaign, they have done a great job on the glass, currently fourth in the NBA for offensive rebounds per game (12.6).
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Team News
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In their victory over the Rockets, the Lakers were without Maxi Kleber, who is recovering from right foot surgery, while LeBron James played 38 minutes despite previously sustaining a left groin strain, scoring 16 points and collecting eight rebounds.
Luka Doncic, Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent each had 20 points to lead the team, with Doncic one assist away from a double-double, while Austin Reaves chipped in with a dozen points and eight boards.
Golden State were missing Gary Payton II against Memphis because of a torn ligament in his left thumb, and Jonathan Kuminga sat out with a right pelvic contusion.
Steph Curry had a monster game on Tuesday with 52 points, his 15th career NBA game with at least 50 points, surpassing Rick Barry (14) for the second-most in team history, while Jimmy Butler put up 27 points and Draymond Green had a triple-double, with 13 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
Memphis Grizzlies possible starting five:
Doncic, Reaves; L. James, Hachimura; Hayes
Golden State Warriors possible starting five:
Podziemski, Curry; Butler, Green; Post
We say: Warriors to win by 2+ points
When Curry is on, as we saw on Tuesday, even a balanced team like the Lakers struggle to keep up, and we believe the scoring ability of the Warriors and their presence on the glass will enable them to win what should be an entertaining affair.
Joel Lefevre
