Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, Odds and Picks for Tuesday, 10/21/25

We are just days away from the 2025-26 NBA season tipping-off and what a game we have coming our way on Monday. Luka Doncic and his Los Angeles Lakers welcome Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in what should be a fun and entertaining clash at Crypto.com Arena.

Preseason isn’t usually a measuring stick when it comes to analysis, but for what it’s worth it the Lakers went just 1-4 SU in 5 games, with head coach JJ Redick experimenting a lot with his lineups. LA made some significant moves during the offseason, adding Deandre Ayton who will start at center, while Marcus Smart comes in to strengthen the point guard position. The defense will suffer a bit with Dorian Finney-Smith leaving for Houston, but then again the Lakers weren’t really known for their defense last season. LeBron James will miss the start of the season with a sciatica injury, it is unclear when he is expected back. It’ll be up to Luka Doncic to build on a solid offseason where he balled out at Eurobasket with Slovenia.

Despite having the oldest starting five in the league, the Warriors aren’t without high expectations this season. The trio of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green is as good as any other in the league, if they can play enough games together. Golden State will be basing their optimism on the fact they went 22-5 SU in 27 games when Curry and Butler played together last season, it is well documented how good those two players compliment each other on the basketball court. Al Horford and Seth Curry are the two most notable additions, while Kuminga, Melton and Gary Payton II all got extended. There was something about playing on the road that got this team fired up last season, they concluded the year winning 9 of 13 games away from home.

There have been a few rule changes this offseason that will benefit shooters like Stephen Curry, so I expect the scoring to go up a bit in the early going. Both teams will want to show off in the season opener, I’d rather lean towards a high scoring game here as opposed to backing a team to win. The over has cashed in 6 straight meetings. Back the points.

Over 223.5 is available at -108 odds at time of publishing. Playable up to 225.5 points.