Warriors vs. Lakers: The best player prop bets for Mar. 5

Two of the NBA’s brightest stars in the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James will collide at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night.

The Warriors are heavy road favorites, but we won’t get into a traditional betting preview here. Let’s dive into the litany of available player props and make our top three selections.

Golden State Warriors (43-20) at Los Angeles Lakers (27-35), 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Stephen Curry Over/Under 24.5 points

This matchup has all the makings of a “get right” game for Golden State – which has lost three of its first four games since the All-Star break – as the wheels have come off this Los Angeles team, which is now a season-worst eight games under the .500 mark. Curry should be able to exploit the Lakers’ lethargic defense on Saturday night.

Curry tallied 24 points when he last faced L.A. (Feb. 12) despite shooting 1-for-8 from 3-point range. The Lakers have allowed opponents to shoot over 40% from beyond the arc over their last five games, suggesting that Curry should get some open looks from downtown in this one.

However, his line of 3.5 made 3-pointers – with significant juice attached on the Over – doesn’t seem like a great bet. But Curry has eclipsed 24.5 points in four of his last six overall, so this line seems much more generous.

NBA pick: Over (-113)

Klay Thompson Over/Under 2.5 made 3-pointers

The Warriors continue to be careful with Klay Thompson, but he has been a valuable contributor when allowed to play. He should have another solid game on Saturday, especially from distance.

As we mentioned above, L.A. has been particularly vulnerable to the 3-point shot of late. Thompson clicked at 45.6% from beyond the arc in the month of February, nailing an average of 3.7 shots from 3-point range per contest. He missed eclipsing 2.5 3s just once in that seven-game sample, which includes a dominant 33-point night on 5-of-9 shooting from deep against the Lakers on Feb. 12.

The Over looks like an easy call here.

NBA pick: Over (-148)

LeBron James Over/Under 2.5 made 3-pointers

“King James” has had to be a jack of all trades as the Lakers crumble around him, and his 3-point game has been suffering.

James has gone below 2.5 made 3s in three of his first four games out of the All-Star break, shooting 8-for-28 (28.6%) from downtown. Golden State boasts an elite defense, holding the opposition to a 33.7% shooting percentage from beyond the arc this season.

The juice on the Under is heavy, but it’s the right side.

NBA pick: Under (-159)