Lakers vs Warriors Prediction 14 October 2026
🏀 The Los Angeles Lakers face off against the Golden State Warriors on neutral ground in Las Vegas. This matchup is a true classic, one that excites basketball fans no matter the stakes. These teams recently squared off in San Francisco, where Golden State dismantled the Lakers’ defense. Can the Los Angeles side bounce back and claim revenge, or will Steve Kerr’s system once again prove superior?
Head-to-Head
📊The last five head-to-head clashes between these teams have been closely contested, with the Lakers coming out on top three times and the Warriors winning twice. Their most recent encounter took place on 07 October 2026 at Golden State’s home court and ended in a dominant 124-98 victory for the hosts.
Head-to-head statistics Lakers - Warriors
Lakers: The preseason haze shows no signs of lifting
The Los Angeles Lakers have already played three preseason games. In their opener, they routed the Kings 127-103, draining 20 threes and forcing Sacramento into 27 turnovers. Their second outing saw them fall to the Warriors 98-124, committing 25 turnovers themselves while allowing Golden State to shoot 51% from the field. In their third game, the Lakers narrowly edged the Kings 114-110. So far, JJ Redick’s squad have left a mixed impression. It’s no surprise, given that the team still hasn’t been able to field their optimal starting five. Kessler and Sexton have yet to appear in preseason due to injuries, while Reaves has missed two games with an ankle issue. Vanderbilt has also been sidelined with a foot contusion.
As a result, Redick has yet to see the core trio of Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler together on the court - a combination that’s expected to be the backbone of this season’s lineup. For now, these preseason matchups are more about building fitness than developing real chemistry, which the Lakers will need to establish during the regular season. Their biggest weakness at the moment is rebounding. Without Kessler, Redick has rotated Looney and Mamukelashvili at center, but neither offers a long-term solution. The Warriors, with Landeborg and Green, could look to exploit this vulnerability.
Match Results: Los Angeles Lakers
Golden State: Kerr settles on a new core
Golden State have also played three games so far, and Steve Kerr has started to shape his rotation for the beginning of the season. In the matchup against Sacramento (111-106), he rolled out a starting five of Curry, Podziemski, Santos, Landeborg, and Green - and was pleased with how that group performed. This lineup was a test run for the system Kerr wants to deploy on October 22, when the Warriors open the regular season against the same Lakers. Landeborg has been the breakout star of the Warriors’ preseason. He put up 17 points and grabbed 9 boards against Sacramento. His energy and athleticism are exactly what the Lakers are lacking in their frontcourt.
It’s been revealed that Horford will come off the bench to anchor the second unit’s defense. This means Green and Horford won’t share the floor for extended stretches, while the reserves benefit from Horford’s veteran rim protection. Butler and Moody are still rehabbing injuries sustained last season. Porzingis remains sidelined with an undisclosed health issue - the club still doesn’t have a clear diagnosis. It’s a significant loss, but it doesn’t alter the overall outlook: even without Porzingis, the Warriors still have more available players than the Lakers, who are missing Kessler, Reaves, and Sexton.
Match Results: Golden State Warriors
Total Points Prediction
Historically, the hosts average 110 points per head-to-head clash, while the visitors post 110.9. However, both teams have notably slowed down offensively over their last ten games: the Lakers are putting up just 98 points per home outing, with the Warriors averaging a nearly identical 98.8 on the road. Despite this, Golden State have consistently delivered strong scoring performances against the Lakers, surpassing 111.5 points in six of their last seven away meetings in this matchup. Given these trends, a well-founded prediction is to back the Golden State individual total over 111.5 at odds of 1.8.
⭐ Editorial Prediction
The Lakers will undoubtedly look to put in a more disciplined performance after their recent blowout loss, but Golden State’s bench cohesion and roster depth give the Warriors a clear edge. With more available players, a finely tuned system, and a well-defined rotation, the Warriors are better equipped for this matchup. The Lakers, missing Kessler, Reaves, and Sexton, simply lack the resources to stay competitive for the full 48 minutes. So, despite the bookmakers favoring the home side, we're backing the visitors to cover the spread at +2.5.
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Betting Tips: Los Angeles Lakers - Golden State Warriors
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