Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors Prediction, Odds and Best Bets for 2025-26 Season Opener
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to tip off the 2025-26 season with new energy and a different roster, featuring Luka Doncic. However, they will be without superstar LeBron James, who is most likely to be out until mid November with a sciatica injury. Up against the Lakers will be the Golden State Warriors, led by Stephen Curry, who will seek a strong start after a disappointing 2024-25 season.
Date: Tuesday, October 21
Time: 10 pm ET
Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
TV Channel: NBC, Peacock
Streaming: NBA League Pass
| Picks | FanDuel | BetMGM |
| Luka Doncic 30+ Points | -130 | -155 |
| Stephen Curry 5+ Made Threes | -135 | -125 |
| Total Points Under 224.5 | -110 | -110 |
The biggest advantages the Golden State Warriors heading into the opener is their momentum from the preseason as well as the fact that their rivals will be without LeBron James. Moreover, while the preseason isn’t a measuring stick for analysis, but for what it is worth, the Lakers went just 1-5 during the preseason, while the Dubs won three of their five preseason fixtures. Though, both teams ended up winning one game each against one another.
Luka Doncic played in two of the Lakers’ preseason games. The 26-year-old, who was rested in the remaining preseason activity after an active summer in EuroLeague, scored 25 points against the Phoenix Suns and 31 points against the Sacramento Kings. Playing at the similar conditions of home, Doncic is expected to shoulder his team’s scoring responsibility quite well, and post over 30 points.
Stephen Curry, known as the best three-point shooter in the league, has averaged 3.3 3PM in the season openers. In addition to it, with the Lakers’ defense potentially disorganized without James, Curry is expected to push beyond the regular number and hit over 5 threes.
The under 224.5 points seems like a good bet, considering that the Lakers will be without James, possibly leading to their offense sputter. Moreover, both teams could start slow in a high-octane opener.
The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t have a favorable conclusion of their preseason campaign. Head coach JJ Redick experimented a lot with the lineups. The Lakers added Deandre Ayton during the offseason, who is expected to start at center. Marcus Smart also comes in to strengthen the point guard spot. While the Lakers’ defense might suffer due to Dorian Finney-Smith leaving, it wasn’t something that helped them stand out during the last season. In LeBron James’ absence, Luka Doncic is expected to step in and back up their offense.
On the other hand, the Warriors step into the regular season with the oldest starting five in the league. However, despite that, they aren’t lacking confidence and are aiming for a strong start of their campaign to set the momentum right. The trio of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green are as strong as ever, and are expected to put up remarkable performances.
They have added Al Horford to their roster, while extending contracts of Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton. Seth Curry, an excellent three-point shooter, was another notable addition. However, the Warriors waived him, but are expected to get him early in the regular season.
Overall the Dubs are confident, excited and focused to begin the season on a stronger note. The Lakers, on the other hand, seem to need time to gel along. Luka Doncic’s regular season debut in the gold and purple colors further added to the uncertainty.
Prediction: Golden State Warriors to win.
The moneyline and spread show the Golden State Warriors are the favorites in the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. (Sourced from BetMGM).
| Moneyline | Spread | Total Points | |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +110 | +1.5 (-105) | U 224.5 (-110) |
| Golden State Warriors | -135 | -1.5 (-115) | O 224.5 (-110) |
Here are the over/under and best player bets for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors, according to BetMGM.
Given below are some of the over/under bets for the Lakers.
| Over/Under Bets | Over | Under |
| DeAndre Ayton Rebounds | 10.5 (-110) | 10.5 (-125) |
| Luka Doncic Rebounds | 8.5 (+105) | 8.5 (-140) |
| Austin Reaves Assists | 5.5 (+120) | 5.5 (-155) |
Given below are some of the best player bets for the Lakers.
Austin Reaves Under 22.5 Points: -120
Luka Doncic Over 3.5 3PM: -115
Rui Hachimura Over 12.5 Points: -120
Given below are some of the best over/uner bets for the Golden State Warriors.
| Over/Under Bets | Over | Under |
| Stephen Curry Points | 25.5 (-115) | 25.5 (-115) |
| Jimmy Butler Points | 18.5 Points (-118) | 18.5 Points (-110) |
| Draymond Green Rebounds | 5.5 (-110) | 5.5 (-120) |
The odds given above are sourced from BetMGM. Use BetMGM to ace your betting game across all sports.
The over/under for total points in the Lakers-Warriors game is set at 224.5.
The Warriors have a slight 1.5 point edge over the Lakers.
Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.
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