The 2025-26 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, October 21, and fans will be treated to a marquee matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.
Unfortunately, we’ll miss out on Steph Curry vs. LeBron James, as the latter will miss his first season opener in 23 seasons, which is why my Warriors vs. Lakers predictions are targeting a Luka Doncic player prop in his absence.
Here are my best free NBA picks for Tuesday’s matchup at crypto.com Arena.
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Warriors vs Lakers prediction
Warriors vs Lakers best bet: Luka Doncic Over 31.5 points (-110)
Luka Doncic’s accolades are well documented. After winning Rookie of the Year, he earned All-NBA honors in five straight seasons. In 2022-23, he averaged 32.5 points, and the following season, he captured his first scoring title while dropping 33.9 per game.
After taking the Mavericks to the Finals, Doncic was widely regarded as one of the Top 3 players in the Association. How quickly the narrative can change …
Injuries limited him to a career-low 50 games last season, but he still averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. Despite the gaudy stats, he was not named to the All-Star team.
The NBA world was rocked when Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis last season. Reports out of Dallas were that Nico Harrison & Co. were concerned about Doncic’s work ethic and conditioning.
In 28 games with the Lakers, Doncic averaged 28.2 points and scored 32 points in 11 of them. He posted at least 30 points four more times in that span. In three games played with the Lakers with LeBron James on the sideline, Doncic finished with point totals of 33, 21, and 31.
This is a prove-it year for Doncic. After getting blindsided by the Mavericks, publicly called out by the franchise that drafted him, getting snubbed for the All-Star game, and losing in five games in the first round of the playoffs, he will be on a mission.
Doncic looks to be in the best shape of his life after offseason workouts, and he’ll surely be amped up to shine in his first season opener as a Laker. He never shies away from the brightest lights, and what better stage to shine on than opening night against the Golden State Warriors? He’ll score 32 points and then some.
Warriors vs Lakers same-game parlay
Austin Reaves averaged a career-best 20.2 points per game last season, and he ramped it up to 22.8 points per game from February 1 through the end of the regular season. In three games played with Luka and without LeBron, he posted totals of 28, 30, and 22.
Deandre Ayton has averaged at least 10 boards per game in each of his seven NBA seasons, and he nabbed 10.2 per game with the Trail Blazers last season. That was tied for the second-lowest mark of his career, though he accomplished this while playing at less than 100% throughout the season. Golden State sports one of the smallest rosters in the Association, and I expect the seven-footer to be active on the glass in his Lakers regular-season debut.
Warriors vs Lakers SGP
- Luka Doncic Over 31.5 points
- Austin Reaves Over 22.5 points
- Deandre Ayton Over 10.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Luka, take the wheel
Doncic came within two counting stats of a triple-double in two of three games played as a Laker without LeBron last season. He’s racked up 82 triple-doubles in 450 career games, including six in 22 matchups with Golden State. He posted a 45/11/13 line against the Dubs on December 15 last season while still with Dallas.
Warriors vs Lakers SGP
- Luka Doncic Over 31.5 points
- Austin Reaves Over 22.5 points
- Deandre Ayton Over 10.5 rebounds
- Luka Doncic triple-double
Warriors vs Lakers odds
- Spread: Warriors -2 (-110) | Lakers +2 (-110)
- Moneyline: Warriors -130 | Lakers +110
- Over/Under: Over 224.5 (-110) | Under 224.5 (-110)
Warriors vs Lakers betting trend to know
The Warriors went 14-13 ATS after the All-Star break last season. Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Lakers.
How to watch Warriors vs Lakers
| Location | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date | Tuesday, October 21, 2025 |
| Tip-off | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
Warriors vs Lakers latest injuries
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