Steve Starr
- Go to BetOnline or Bovada for the latest odds on the Lakers vs Warriors matchup
- Steph Curry has a 8-8 career record when facing postseason elimination while LeBron James is 39-12 all-time in series-clinching games
- ESPN airs Game 6 from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, May 12th at 10:00pm
Anthony Davis left the Lakers’ 121-106 Game 5 loss to Golden State with a head injury, but the big man is tentatively expected to suit up on Friday night. Holding a 3-2 series lead, Los Angeles looks to close out the Warriors on home court and avoid a trip back to the Bay Area for Game 7.
Will LeBron James advance to the Western Conference Finals or will Steph Curry and the reigning champions stave off elimination on the road? Before we look at the opening line for Game 6, check out the latest 2023 NBA Playoff Betting Odds and our guide to betting on NBA basketball.
Lakers vs Warriors – Game 6
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
| Golden State Warriors | +2.5 (-110) | +120 | Ov 221 (-110) |
| Los Angeles Lakers | -2.5 (-110) | -140 | Un 221 (-110 |
Comeback Curry?
Steph Curry recorded 27 points and eight assists in a 121-106 Game 5 victory on Wednesday. The Warriors are now 8-8 in the Steph era when facing postseason elimination. They’re trying to come back from a 3-1 series deficit for only the second time in franchise history after rallying to defeat Oklahoma City in the 2016 Western Conference Finals.
Golden State also famously coughed up a 3-1 series lead to LeBron James and the Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals, so revenge may be on their mind.
Steph Curry finally gets help in Game 5 win vs. Lakers, but now his supporting cast must sustain the momentum
by @ColinCBSSports from Chase Centerhttps://t.co/0BbRZnP2bE
— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) May 11, 2023
Can Lakers close it out?
Something will have to give on Friday night. While Los Angeles has not lost a home game this postseason (5-0), Steph Curry has won at least one road game in every career playoff series he’s played.
Golden State’s chances will be heavily bolstered if Anthony Davis’ head injury keeps him out of the lineup. The Lakers have been outscored by 25 points in 114 minutes without AD on the court this postseason.
Los Angeles vs Golden State
Los Angeles is a 2.5-point home favorite in Game 6. LeBron James’ career record in series-clinching games in the NBA playoffs is 39-12. The 38-year-old will be hard-pressed to close out the Warriors without Davis on the floor, but AD is expected to play after taking an inadvertent shot to the head from Kevon Looney on Wednesday.
While Steve Kerr’s club is a miserable 12-34 on the road in the regular season and playoffs combined, they won two games in Sacramento to climb out of a 2-0 series hole in the first round. The over/under for Game 6 is set at 221 points. It’s a curious total as Game 4 in Los Angeles is the only one that has failed to exceed that total so far.
The producer from ‘The Last Dance’ has been filming footage of LeBron James 👀
(Via @awfulannouncing ) pic.twitter.com/00Oi8KgsOM
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) May 11, 2023
Best Bet
The historical stakes for Game 6 couldn’t be bigger with both LeBron and Curry seeking their fifth NBA Championship. While the reigning champions from Golden State always seem to reach another level when the stakes are the highest, the Lakers are simply the better team.
If Anthony Davis plays, Los Angeles will cover the 2.5-point spread and advance to the Western Conference Final.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
