Both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors are looking for their way out of their respective slumps. Who gets to get back in the win column after Sunday’s game?

Catch this game live on Sunday, February 13, at 9:30, Manila time

Away: Los Angeles Lakers (26-30/9-17 on the road)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Russell Westbrook (questionable)
  • SG: Avery Bradley
  • SF: LeBron James
  • PF: Anthony Davis
  • C: Dwight Howard

The Lakers’ 107-105 road loss to the Portland Trail Blazers was yet another indication of the obvious: there’s something wrong with Los Angeles, which has now lost three of its last 10 games. If anything, the Lakers have covered the spread in half of those games. If the Lakers needed a wake-up call, it’s to be that loss to the Blazers, who rolled out a roster even some dedicated NBA fans must have struggled to completely identify. Perhaps with NBA Trade Deadline rumors behind them now, the Lakers will be able to focus more on trying to win games.  

In any case, LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be the ones spearheading the Lakers’ attempt at getting back in the win column Sunday. They combined for 67 points and 22 rebounds in Los Angeles’ 121-114 home loss to the Warriors back in October  The Lakers could also be catching the Warriors at just the right time, with Golden State reeling as of the moment following back-to-back losses.  There’s a possibility that they will be without Russell Westbrook (questionable with back soreness), which may be a good thing for the Lakers, considering how poorly they’ve played with the former league MVP on the floor. Westbrook owns the worst net rating (-3.4) among regular Lakers starters. The Lakers are 8-7 ATS this season as road underdogs.

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Home: Golden State Warriors (41-15/25-5 at home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Stephen Curry
  • SG: Klay Thompson
  • SF: Andrew Wiggins
  • PF: Jonathan Kuminga
  • C: Kevon Looney

The Warriors will be looking to prevent a three-game losing streak when they face off with the Lakers again. Golden State lost to the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City (111-85) last Thursday and then again to the New York Knicks at home Friday (116-114). That’s two games in as many days, so perhaps the loss to the Knicks could be partly attributed to fatigue. With a day of rest between that loss and this rematch against the Lakers, expect fresher legs for Golden State, which is averaging 110.5 points per game and shooting 46.6 FG%, so far this season. The Warriors got doomed against New York by losing the scoring battle in the third quarter, 31-20. 

Third periods are usually the domain of the Warriors, so look for them to rebound against the Lakers, who are both just 21st in the NBA in terms of points for and points allowed in third quarters. Stephen Curry, who had 35 points on 11/25 shooting versus the Knicks, will look to keep it going against the Lakers. In the first meeting with LA, Curry scored 21 points,  while Jordan Poole put up 20. Klay Thompson will also be meeting the Lakers for the first time this season after scoring 17 points against the Knicks. Golden State is 17-11-2 in games as home favorites.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Lakers could cover (+7.5) this game with plenty of help from their free-throw shooting. They have taken an average of 25.8 attempts from the foul line in their last five games — fourth-most in the league in that span. There might be more coming for LA, as the Warriors are 26th in the league in personal fouls per contest. (The Knicks just had 33 FTAs against Golden State).

Over/Under:  The Lakers are top 10 in FG attempts per game and while the Warriors are only 22nd in that department, they are second in effective FG% and fourth in shooting efficiency. Taking the Over (224.5) here.