<p>The Warriors beat the Lakers 119-109 in October. Will the same happen again when these two teams meet for the second time this season on Sunday, February 8, at 12:30 AEDT?</p> <p>Games between these two iconic franchises have always been extremely competitive. Whether that's because they both feature stars like Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, and LeBron James, or because they are Californian rivals, that doesn't matter. They both simply produce their top basketball.</p> <p>Read on to see what we think will happen when these two teams play in Los Angeles with our Lakers vs Warriors predictions…</p> <h2>Quick Picks</h2> <ul> <li>Our pick: GSW to win</li> <li>Value bet: GSW to win by 1-10 points</li> <li>Long shot: Lakers to cover the handicap</li> </ul> <h2>Betting Preview</h2> <p>When looking at how things have turned out between these two teams on paper, the history books suggest that this one can go either way. As we mentioned, both produce some of their best basketball during this contest, while the plethora of stars available ensures there is betting value available to us.</p> <p>GSW hold two consecutive wins over the Lakers, including one this season. This happened in October, when the two teams had just started their NBA regular-season campaigns.</p> <p>The Warriors won 119-109 at home, with Jimmy Butler III scoring 31 points and Curry adding 23. It's likely that they could be without both for the upcoming game. Butler suffered an ACL injury and is out for the season, while Curry has missed a recent doubleheader.</p> <p>For the Lakers, Doncic scored 43 points in that defeat, recording a double-double with 12 assists. Austin Reaves started to show signs of a breakout, as he scored 26 points.</p> <h2>Betting Markets to Watch</h2> <p>The head-to-head is fairly even between these two teams over the last 10 games. They are 5-5, highlighting the competitive nature between these two. Games are typically tight, with a points margin of 10 or fewer being recorded on eight occasions over the last 10.</p> <p>For this reason, it's why the handicap market is going to be worth exploring for value. Based on recent form, we think it is worth considering the Lakers in the handicap to cover the spread. They are strong at home (12-8) and against Conference teams (20-12). The GSW have struggled on the road (10-15), while they are inconsistent against Conference rivals (17-14), suggesting there is a chance that Los Angeles could cover.</p> <h2>Our Prediction</h2> <p>Check the latest <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-us/nba">NBA betting odds</a> at Sportsbet.</p> <p>We think it is likely that the GSW win this game. The Warriors have enjoyed their trips to Los Angeles, having won four of the last five trips made south.</p> <p>Doncic to have 30+ points is worth exploring, as he continues to consistently surpass this total. If you're new to <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-on-the-nba">how to bet on the NBA</a>, player props like this can be a great starting point.</p> <p>With Doncic recording a double-double in the previous meeting, it's worth understanding <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nba/nba-news/what-is-a-triple-double">what is a triple-double in basketball</a> and how close he comes to achieving them regularly.</p> <p>For more insights on matchups like this, check out our <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nba/tips">NBA tips and predictions</a> ahead of each game day.</p> <h2>Keep Reading</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nba/nba-news/nba-positions-explained-basketball-roles">Point guard to centre — every position on the court explained</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nba/nba-news/nba-plus-minus-explained">The plus-minus stat and what it actually tells us</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nba/nba-news/how-to-stream-the-nba">How to catch NBA games from Australia without missing a tip-off</a></li> </ul>