I’ve chosen to alter my approach for today’s column. While my parlay results remain strong across the SportsLine newsletter, extra leg additions meant to push outright favorites into positive odds have consistently backfired. Perhaps I am overextending on individual player props or similar markets. Spotting game winners has been smooth sailing. Consequently, I am sticking to my core strategy: straightforward two-team parlays centered around a single primary match, paired with an anchor leg in which I hold high conviction. For tonight’s slate, that featured contest pits the Los Angeles Lakers against Golden State. Claim the best Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS55, trade $25, and receive a $55 bonus here:
Throughout the past eight NBA campaigns, any clash between Golden State and Los Angeles commanded national attention owing to the showdown between Stephen Curry and LeBron James, arguably the era’s two premier icons. However, with LeBron now representing Philadelphia, this evening’s battle among Pacific Division foes at Chase Center carries a different vibe, though it offers an ideal opportunity to highlight Warriors rookie standout Yaxel Lendeborg—alongside marking the kickoff of NBA Cup group stage action.
This contest serves as the nightcap for Prime Video’s NBA doubleheader (following an intriguing duel between the Knicks and 76ers), tipping off at 10 p.m. ET. Favored by 3.5 points, Los Angeles commands roughly 70% of total bets alongside 75% of the handle. Meanwhile, the over/under line of 234.5 displays heavy action toward the Over. It is remarkable considering half a decade ago, a benchmark of 234.5 was virtually unheard of. The league’s evolution has prioritized unchecked offensive output.
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Friday NBA parlay selection
DraftKings: SGP odds: -101 (variable market pricing)
These franchises inaugurated their campaigns opposing each other on Oct. 21 in Southern California, where Los Angeles secured a decisive 127-105 win powered by Luka Doncic’s 28 points, eight boards, and seven dimes despite sitting out the entire final period during the rout. Still, center Walker Kessler stole the spotlight during his franchise debut, converting all 12 field goal attempts for 26 points and nine rebounds. That mark represents the second-highest tally of perfect attempts in team history, behind only Wilt Chamberlain’s 14-of-14 showing in March 1969.
Curry paced Golden State with a 23-point effort, whereas Lendeborg managed a modest 12 points and three rebounds during his maiden appearance; however, the 11th overall draft pick coming off an NCAA championship campaign with Michigan has excelled ever since. Talent evaluators held divided opinions on Lendeborg due to his advanced age coming into the pros (entering at 23, currently 24) and his solitary season competing in a power conference following his transfer from UAB.
Were Kristaps Porzingis and Jimmy Butler fully fit, Lendeborg might not have even cracked the opening lineup. Instead, he is putting up 22.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per contest, vaulting to second in Rookie of the Year odds at +280, trailing only Memphis newcomer Cameron Boozer (+240), the third overall selection. Notably, no rookie has attracted more wager volume for ROY over the previous week at DraftKings than Lendeborg, whose odds stood at +2800 following the draft and +1800 on opening night.
He has already established himself as the first rookie since Curry back in February 2010 to record a minimum of 30 points, 10 boards, and five assists within a single contest—an achievement that required 51 appearances for Curry to attain. Just five matches into Golden State’s schedule, Lendeborg joined iconic names Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, and Shaquille O’Neal as the sole players in the lottery era (dating to 1985-86) to gather at least 85 points and 35 rebounds over their initial four career contests. Furthermore, he stands alongside Victor Wembanyama as the only rookies since 1993 to compile at least 100 points alongside 40 rebounds during their opening five matchups.
“His poise. I mean, he literally just wrapped up a national title run in college,” Curry noted regarding Lendeborg earlier this week. “He brings incredible calmness and court vision. With his stature on the floor, he creates defensive headaches. He operates with patience and is beginning to read defenses brilliantly. Passing, staying assertive, drawing fouls, tracking offensive boards.”
Lendeborg marks the first Golden State rookie to register three straight 20-plus point outings since Klay Thompson managed the feat in 2011-12. As Butler continues rehab from an ACL tear, the team lacked secondary shot creation outside of Steph Curry. The 6-foot-9, 241-pound newcomer fills that void effectively. Heading into tonight, his combined points, rebounds, and assists benchmark sits at 29.5, whereas the SportsLine projection algorithm estimates his line at 27.8.
“Bringing Yaxel aboard,” head coach Steve Kerr remarked, “and his capacity to replicate Jimmy’s role — controlling tempo, drawing whistles, generating scoring opportunities individually and for teammates — transforms our entire dynamic.”
Recall the heavily hyped “dual timeline” vision Golden State envisioned to seamlessly rebuild a contender while remaining competitive? That plan fell flat, primarily due to misfiring on the second overall draft selection in 2020 with James Wiseman. Securing Lendeborg with the 11th pick might echo drafting Curry at No. 7 back in 2009. Meanwhile, Curry arrives fresh off a season-best 44-point performance in Wednesday’s triumph over Minnesota, during which he sank all 16 foul shots to set a personal single-game record for flawless free-throw shooting. Bet on NBA futures with the Caesars Sportsbook promo code CBSSPORTSBR250 and get up to $250 in bonuses:
Los Angeles enters having claimed four consecutive head-to-head encounters against Golden State, including four straight wins at Chase Center. Doncic is set to return following a rest night Wednesday against the Clippers. It is a relief that he avoided injury, considering the league suffered a brutal slate of setbacks this week with key stars like Anthony Edwards, Jalen Williams, Paolo Banchero, Kawhi Leonard, Jaren Jackson, and Tyrese Haliburton all sidelined by various health issues.
Doncic paces the league in scoring with an average of 36.0 points per game, followed by Edwards at 33.3, with no other scorer reaching the 30-point threshold. With Doncic suited up, Los Angeles has surpassed 125 points in four consecutive season openers for the initial time in club history. His point total prop stands at 34.5. Notably, Doncic and Curry remain deadlocked at 9-9 in career head-to-head regular season meetings.
I will refrain from dwelling on the NBA Cup as it holds little interest for me, yet both teams reside in a competitive Group C beside San Antonio, an ascending Portland squad, and a struggling Sacramento team. San Antonio holds -110 odds to capture the group, whereas Los Angeles stands at +340 and Golden State sits at +1400. For basic qualification, L.A. lists at +185 compared to Golden State’s +650. Every one of the six group leaders plus the top runner-up by group play record in each conference secures a wild-card berth.
Turning to Miami’s home clash with Indiana, the Pacers clearly lack their usual punch in the absence of Tyrese Haliburton, with Ivica Zubac among several additional players sidelined. Check out other expert picks in the SportsLine daily newsletter.
