The first night of this year’s NBA season will continue in L.A. when the Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Golden State Warriors.
While some notable names will be missing from both teams’ starting lineups here, we’ll run through a few Warriors vs Lakers props for Opening Night, focusing on the personnel changes both teams have made.
Let’s get into my NBA picks for October 21, and be sure to check out our Warriors vs. Lakers predictions afterward!
Best Warriors vs Lakers props
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 Deandre Ayton |
Over 13.5 points | -115 |
 Brandin Podziemski |
Over 12.5 points | -125 |
| Stephen Curry |
Over 5.5 assists | +105 |
Prop #1: Deandre Ayton Over 13.5 points
Our first order of business will be targeting the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers, and one who may be thrust into a large role right away.
Deandre Ayton will step in as L.A.’s new center — less than a year after it moved on from Anthony Davis — and he’ll fortify an offense that has been heavily focused on scoring inside the arc.
The Lakers were around the Top 10 in midrange shooting frequency all of last season, and in the preseason, nothing’s changed as they’ve ranked ninth. Now, they’re down their biggest mid-range weapon in LeBron James, and Ayton should do well to fill some of the void.
The big man went on a nice scoring run late last season with the Trail Blazers, and when it was all said and done, he ranked in the Top 6% of all centers in shooting frequency from the mid range. He'll feast against a Golden State Warriors' frontcourt in rotation hell.
Prop #2: Brandin Podziemski Over 12.5 points
Speaking of Golden State’s rotation, it seems things have already been thrown for a loop with Moses Moody injuring his calf in practice. He won’t suit up tonight, meaning Brandin Podziemski should once again get all the run he can handle.
The third-year guard played over 20 minutes per game in the final three contests this preseason, and while his scoring output was not the greatest, he should at least see the chance to start here without Moody.
Ayton’s presence inside has historically led to more scoring at the rim, and the Lakers continued on this preseason by allowing tons of open 3-point looks.
Podz should find himself in a solid matchup as a result, and with the injury to Moody and tons of aging stars around him, he'll see the floor for more than enough time.
Prop #3: Stephen Curry Over 5.5 assists
The Lakers were the ninth-worst team against the 3-ball this preseason, and that was a common theme down the stretch last year after Luka Doncic was brought in at point guard.
They’ll be hoping Marcus Smart can return to form to aid their pursuit of some stronger perimeter defense, but he’s coming off a bad preseason and will find himself battling for minutes early on.
I think this should lead to plenty of scoring from a Golden State unit that still loves to shoot the long ball. But with Moody hurt and the likes of Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski, and a very old frontcourt surrounding Stephen Curry, I don’t believe L.A. will shy away from throwing double-teams at the aging star.
The Lakers should make this supporting cast beat them, and that should force Curry to pass the ball much more in this one.
Curry averaged over six assists per game against the Lakers last season, hitting this number three of four times.
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