LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) Under 9.5 Assists (-135)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As the Lakers gear up to face the Warriors, there's a compelling case for targeting LeBron James for under 9.5 assists. Over the past five games, he's averaged 8.6 assists overall and just 8 on the road, which suggests a dip in his playmaking role when away from home. Historically against Golden State, he's averaged 9.2 assists in previous away matchups, but with the Warriors' defense tightening around him, he might find his opportunities limited. Moreover, consider that LeBron has only surpassed this mark in four of his last 20 contests, boasting a notable 17 for 20 under when playing on the road. With the Warriors likely zeroing in on him, the trend points more towards a game where he facilitates rather than racks up high assist numbers. Betting under 9.5 seems like a smart play as LeBron navigates a tricky matchup in hostile territory.

LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) Under 24.5 Points (-112)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As the Lakers head to the Bay to face the Warriors, all eyes will be on LeBron James, but betting on him to stay under 24.5 points could be the smart play. Sure, he's had his moments against Golden State, averaging nearly 28 points in their last five encounters. However, his recent form paints a different picture. Over the last five games, he's only managed 18.4 points, dropping to 18 on the road. With the Warriors' defense tightening at home, LeBron might find it tough to reach that lofty mark. His scoring has dipped significantly, and let's not forget that he's hit the under in 17 of his last 20 away games. Given these trends, it feels like a classic case of expectation vs. reality. Betting the under on LeBron here might just be the savvy move as the Lakers look to adjust against a formidable opponent.

Jake LaRavia (Los Angeles Lakers) Under 16.5 Points + Rebounds (-108)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As we gear up for Friday's clash between the Warriors and Lakers, Jake LaRavia's player prop of under 16.5 points and rebounds stands out. LaRavia's recent performances paint a clear picture; he's averaged just 8 points and 6 rebounds over his last five games, highlighting a dip in production. On the road, those numbers shrink even further, with only 6.6 points and 4 rebounds per outing. When facing off against the Lakers, his contributions have been modest, with only 7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in their last five encounters. The Warriors typically provide a tough defensive challenge, which could further limit his opportunities. Given his impressive hit rate-18 of his last 20 games hitting the under-there's a strong case for LaRavia struggling to reach that 16.5 threshold. For those looking to bet wisely, the under feels like the play here.

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