The Lakers and Warriors have given fans several exciting games over the past few years. However, tonight's game will not have Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves and may not have Stephen Curry (questionable) — but, that does open up opportunities to find value in the Lakers with LeBron James leading the way.
Let's get into my NBA Same Game Parlay Strategy Guide for Lakers vs. Warriors on Thursday, April 9.
NBA Same Game Parlay Strategy Guide for Lakers vs Warriors
The Angle: LeBron & Lakers Try to Secure Seeding
LeBron James 25+ Points / 10+ Assists
The Lakers went 15-2 in March and came to Oklahoma City, winning 13 of their last 14 games. Then, not only did they get blown out, but they also lost Doncic (hamstring) and Reaves (back) for several weeks.
Fortunately for the Lakers, they have already clinched a spot in the top six and they had climbed up to as high as the third seed.
However, they have lost three games in a row, falling 1.5 games back of the Nuggets and own the tiebreaker over the Rockets for the fourth seed.
Two games against the Thunder did not help matters and James did not play in the second one. He is off the injury report for tonight's game.
James has actually scored 25 points in just two of his last 10 games, but one of them was the first game without Doncic and Reaves.
He scored 30 points and had 15 assists against Dallas last Sunday. James has played just two games without Doncic and Reaves this season, but he has scored 28 points in two of his last three games without Doncic.
James has had his way with the Warriors', particularly before Doncic's arrival in Los Angeles. In his last nine games against the Warriors, James is averaging 31.3 points.
In his last seven games against the Warriors without Doncic, he is averaging 32.4 points per game. He has scored 25 points in six of those games and 30 in five of them.
While his scoring will be needed tonight, his assists have been on the rise without Doncic. James has had 10 assists in six of eight games without Doncic this season, including five straight.
He has also averaged 10 assists over his last nine games against the Warriors; 30 points and 10 assists is not out of the question for him tonight.
Pick: LeBron James 25+ Points / LeBron James 10+ Assists
The Correlated SGP: Kennard & LaRavia Help Fill the Void
Luke Kennard 6+ Assists
Combined Doncic and Reaves average 56.8 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 13.8 assists per game this season. While James may try, he cannot replace that production on his own.
Against the Mavericks, Luke Kennard made bettors very happy as he recorded the first triple-double of his career with 15 points, a career-high 16 rebounds, and 11 assists. Against the Thunder without James, Reaves, and Doncic, he also had nine assists on Tuesday.
It is not the first time in his career that he has flashed point guard skills. In his third season in Detroit, he averaged 4.1 assists per game and he also averaged 5.3 assists per 36 minutes with Memphis last season. He has nearly gotten there of late as he averaged 32.3 minutes over his last three games.
Kennard converted all 11 of his assists opportunities against the Mavericks and nine of 12 against the Thunder.
If his potential assists rate reverts back closer 50%, he will still be able to get six assists tonight. Any higher than that and he will have an opportunity to cash his ladder again.
Pick: Luke Kennard 6+ Assists
Jake LaRavia Over 4.5 Rebounds
Even before Doncic and Reaves went down, Jake LaRavia had seen an uptick in minutes.
LaRavia played 38 minutes in the victory over the Cavaliers last Tuesday. He has had five rebounds in each of his past four games. He is averaging 6.7 rebounds per game in that span and pulled seven or more in three of those games.
LaRavia has had at least 13 rebound chances in three of his last four games. Keep in mind that is while the Lakers have allowed 113, 139, 134, and 123 points in their last four games.
There may be more misses and rebounds available tonight as the Warriors have scored 116 points and 110 points in two games since Curry returned. They also scored 101 and 99 points in two games against the Lakers without Curry.
Additionally, the Warriors are 18th in rebounds allowed and 23rd against power forwards. That sets up a strong matchup for LaRavia to be a contributor on the glass once again.
Pick: Jake LaRavia Over 4.5 Rebounds
Same Game Parlay Building Blocks (+950)
- LeBron James 25+ Points
- LeBron James 10+ Assists
- Luke Kennard Over 5.5 Assists
- Jake LaRavia Over 4.5 Rebounds
Compounding Angle (+4000)
- LeBron James 30+ Points
- LeBron James 10+ Assists
- Luke Kennard 8+ Assists
- Jake LaRavia 6+ Rebounds
