Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers – April 3, 2025 Betting Picks
Two of California’s most formidable basketball teams will play under the bright lights at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Thursday night, and there’s a lot riding on the game.
The Lakers and Warriors are both clawing for a spot in the playoff positioning, and since there are only a few games left in the regular season, every single possession matters. The Lakers are the slight favorites with home court advantage, but the Warriors aren’t gonna let that stop them if they can help it.
Thinking about betting on the game? We have all of the info you need and our prediction for who we (and sportsbooks think will emerge on top!
Quick Game Breakdown
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
Matchup | Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers |
Date/Time | April 3, 2025 – 10:00 p.m. EST |
Location | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
Betting Line | Warriors +2 / Lakers -2 |
Our Pick | Los Angeles Lakers -2 |
Confidence | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) |
Game Overview
The Lakers are heading into this matchup with a 46-29 record and a spot near the top half of the Western Conference standings. They’re not exactly coasting at the moment, but they’ve done enough to feel pretty confident about where they’ll end up in the playoff picture, especially if they can handle their business at home.
Golden State, sitting at 44-31, is only two games behind and coming in hot. The Warriors are riding a three-game winning streak and showing moments of the electric pace-and-space style that made them such a nightmare to go up against over the last 10 years. But road games against LeBron, Luka, and the rest of the Lakers squad aren’t going to be a layup win.
Current Betting Odds & Line Movement
According to DraftKings, the most recent betting odds and line movement for the game are as follows:
- Spread: Lakers -2
- Moneyline: Lakers -135, Warriors +114
- Over/Under: 228
The line opened at Lakers -2.5, but has since changed to -2. That’s usually the kind of move you see when either the public is favoring one side, or something changes on the injury front, or possibly both. The recent Warriors injury report certainly didn’t do them any favors, and the betting momentum looks to be leaning toward the purple and gold.
Team Breakdown
The Warriors are on fire because of another Steph scoring bonanza, and the Lakers are building some momentum with LeBron and Luka at the helm. Look below to see how both teams are looking heading into Thursday night’s game!
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have been trending upward, and most of this can be credited to—surprise, surprise—Steph Curry. His 52-point explosion against Memphis was a straight-up seminar on how to shoot. Curry is averaging 24.4 points per game this season, but this could be a trap—he’s capable of dropping 40+ on any given night.
The main issue? Defense. Golden State can still score with anyone, but they’ve had some trouble stringing together stops. Combine that with their injury concerns and a thin bench, and you’ve still got a team that’s pretty dangerous, but they def are not bulletproof.
- Recent Form: 3-game win streak and a 134-125 shootout vs. Memphis.
- Strengths: Elite scoring, Steph is doing what Steph does, and solid ball movement.
- Weaknesses: Defense is spotty, and their depth is being tested.
- Injuries: Gary Payton II is out with a thumb injury; Jonathan Kuminga is a “maybe” with a pelvic contusion.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are finally finding their rhythm, and the timing is perfect. They’ve won back-to-back games and seem to have figured out how to get LeBron and Luka coexisting in a way that doesn’t feel like it’s “your turn, my turn” basketball. The synergy is going to be a nightmare for any defense, especially one that is as wobbly as Golden State’s.
They’ve still had trouble cleaning the glass, and they rank toward the bottom of the league in rebounds per game, and that could leave the door open for second-chance looks if they’re not super careful.
- Recent Form: Two straight wins—one was a gritty 104-98 win over the Rockets.
- Strengths: Star power with LeBron and Luka, and lots of well-balanced scoring.
- Weaknesses: Rebounding has been pretty subpar.
- Injuries: Maxi Kleber is still out with a foot injury.
Main Matchup to Watch
It’s always Steph, full stop. The Lakers have already taken three wins off of the Warriors this season, but Curry will always be the biggest wild card on the floor. Containing him (or at least slowing him down) is going to be a priority numero uno.
Expect the Lakers to throw multiple defenders at him, like Vanderbilt, Reaves, and traps off of high screens. If they can limit his open looks and force the ball out of his hands, they’ll be able to stay in control. And if not? Steph will be Steph, and that means baskets.
Our Prediction
We have to back the Lakers on this one! We think that they’ll more than take care of biz at l their home arena, and that they’ll cover the spread while doing so.
Golden State is not to be trifled with, but this season’s series hasn’t exactly been kind to them. The Lakers have won all three of their previous meetings, and they made it look easy. Add in the home-court advantage, plus a healthier roster overall, and the Lakers are in a really strong spot to pull away late.
- Pick: Lakers -3.5
- Why: Better form, home court, and fewer injury concerns. Oh, and they’re 3-0 vs. Golden State this season. That’s not nothing.
Best Bet
We aren’t recommending that you go all-in, but two units is a pretty smart bet. The line movement as of now is showing that the public and books are starting to catch up.
- Bet: Lakers -2
- Confidence Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
- Unit Suggestion: 2 units
Prop Bet or Bonus Pick
- Prop Bet: Steph Curry Over 22 Points (+105)
- Rationale: Steph Curry is never a bad bet, and he’s coming off a stellar 52-point performance against the Memphis Grizzlies! Because the Warriors rely so heavily on his scoring ability, and considering the high stakes of the matchup against the Lakers, it’s more than reasonable to predict that Curry will exceed the 22-point mark.
Final Thoughts
This San Fran vs. Los Angeles matchup has the NBA playoff written all over it. The Warriors are scrappy and trying to stay in the upper half of the West, and the Lakers are trying to lock in a home-court advantage for Round 1. Golden State is a little banged up, and the Lakers are peaking at the right time, so the safest bet is LA -2.
Whatever the outcome is, you’ll still get to see some amazing action in what will be a great matchup, so enjoy the game! And as always, bet responsibly.
