Defense will be the story throughout the Lakers-Warriors Game 4 matchup.
The LA Lakers and the Golden State Warriors are in a heated battle of tug-of-war.
After an insane Game 1 and two consecutive blowouts, Game 4 projects as another close battle.
Here are the best picks, craziest odds and a parlay for the pivotal Game 4.
All odds, lines and spreads are provided courtesy of BetMGM.
Best Picks for Lakers-Warriors Game 4
Warriors ML, +125
This is a hot take after a Game 3 dud by Golden State, but one game isn’t the tell-tale sign of a team.
Golden State’s road woes caught up to them on Saturday, but they were never favored to win that game.
These are the defending champions, and it’s hard to believe they’ll go down 3-1 in a fairly even matchup.
The Warriors also proved they can win on the road in this postseason, winning games 5 and 7 in Sacramento in the first round.
Expect a dog fight to the finish with the Warriors pulling away late.
Under 228.5, -115
Only one game has gone over this mark in this series, and that was a 117-112 (229 points) final in Game 1.
We also got hit with a bad beat in Game 2, as we picked over 227.5 while the final score was 127-100.
The teams have hovered around this mark all series, but this game will be different.
A dog fight is putting it lightly.
Steve Kerr and his Warriors have their backs against the wall, and they know they can’t fall down 3-1.
Darvin Ham and his Lakers will be fighting all night to keep home court advantage and take a commanding series lead.
Defense will be the story of this game. Life’s not too short to bet the under.
Anthony Davis UNDER 24.5 Points, -110
Is there anything left to say about this bet?
AD has been by far the most inconsistent star of these playoffs.
But he’s been consistently inconsistent. His game-by-game point totals have gone like this: 22, 13, 31, 12, 31, 16, 30, 11, 25. So is he consistent? Or is he perfectly inconsistent?
Anthony Davis this playoffs:
Odd games — Even games —
27.8 PPG 13.0 PPG
16.8 RPG 10.3 RPG
57.0 FG% 40.4 FG% pic.twitter.com/sS9oZ7guZM— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 7, 2023
Let’s call this the Unibrow Paradox, because he can’t seem to string together consecutive 20-point games, but he’s consistent about it.
Pick the trend until it proves you wrong.
Parlay of the Game for Lakers-Warriors Game 4
Warriors ML,
Stephen Curry 3+ Three-Pointers Made,
Anthony Davis UNDER 12.5 Rebounds,
Jordan Poole OVER 11.5 Points
+775
The longshot bet that boosts this parlay is Jordan Poole’s over.
It’s hard to pick this when he has 11 points total over the last two games, but Golden State needs him to get going.
Jordan Poole has been struggling in his second playoff run. pic.twitter.com/VsIGVkpSQk
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 7, 2023
Poole averaged over 20 points per game this season and had 21 in Game 1, so he’s fully capable of this mark.
Steph Curry making at least three 3’s feels like a given, the Warriors moneyline is a good bet, and it’s the Unibrow Paradox.
Craziest Odds for Lakers-Warriors Game 4
Anthony Davis to Score Fewer than 15 Points in the Game, +800
The funniest part of this bet is that it’s labeled “In Handcuffs” on BetMGM.
Davis is also the only player in this category on the site.
The Unibrow Paradox (I’m milking it until it dies) has been noticed by Vegas and been put in its own category.
Davis’s odds for scoring 40+ are set at +1300, so that means they’re giving him an 11.1% chance to score under 15 and a 7.1% chance of breaking out for 40.
Free Picks for Lakers-Warriors Game 4
In addition to the Best Picks and the Parlay of the Game, here are a few more free picks ahead of Game 4.
Both Teams to Score 55+ in the First Half, +165
Anthony Davis OVER 4.5 Blocks+Steals, +105
D’Angelo Russell First FG Scorer, +750
Warriors -3.5 Alternate Spread, +230
Warriors 1H ML, +120
Game 4 will be at 7 PM Pacific Time (10 PM ET) Monday night on TNT.
