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Warriors vs Lakers: Predictions, start time, TV schedule, live stream, odds and more

Warriors' Draymond Green, Lakers' Kobe Bryant are both game time decisions in Kobe's final game at Oracle Arena.

By AndrewFlohr
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Matchup
Los Angeles Lakers
9-31 (18-22-1 ATS)
 vs
Golden State Warriors
36-3 (22-15-2 ATS)
How To Watch
Thursday, January 14th, 2016.
Oracle Arena, OAKLAND, CALIF.
7:30 p.m. PST
TNT | KNBR 680 AM | TNT Overtime
Blog Buddy: Silver Screen and Roll
Betting Lines
Charlotte +17
 		★ Golden State -17
Money Line
Charlotte N/A ★ Golden State N/A
Over/Under Total
216 Total Points

★★★

There are plenty of story lines brewing as the Golden State Warriors prepare to play the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena Thursday night in the second game of a TNT double header. The Dubs return home after suffering a tough 110-112 loss in Denver on Wednesday. It is only the Warriors' third loss this season, all of which have come on the road. They are still a perfect 18-0 at home this season and have won a remarkable 36 straight regular season games at Oracle.

However, there is still no word on whether or not budding superstar Draymond Green will suit up and take the floor against the lowly Lakers. As for the purple and gold, Kobe Bryant left Tuesday night's game against the New Orleans Pelicans because of a strained right Achilles, the same Achilles that he tore against the Warriors just a few seasons ago.

Bryant is questionable is what is going to be his final game against the Warriors at Oracle Arena. While it is obvious that Kobe wants to be on the court, Lakers trainer Gary Vitti made a suggestion to head coach Byron Scott to 'shut down' Bryant for one to two weeks to give the once prolific scorer some much needed rest. "But that probably isn't going to happen." said Byron Scott after the team's practice on Wednesday, "[Kobe] doesn't want to shut it down." (Baxter Holmes, ESPN)

Kobe's final game presents quite the paradox for longstanding Warriors faithful. Regardless if he plays or not, Bryant will most definitely receive a standing DubNation ovation. Clap for Kobe's career, his accomplishments and his legacy. Then boo your heart out to the man who has ruthlessly destroyed the Warriors for the past 20 seasons.

As a fan of basketball and a student of the game, I respect Kobe. I respect his competitiveness, the passion he plays the game with and his masterful skill set. But as a fan of the Warriors, I despise him. I feel a deep repugnance for Kobe for all of his lame teeth snarls, egotistical theatrics and most importantly his ridiculous amount of success.

As much as it pains me to say, we as Warrior fans have seen Kobe at his best. He scored more points against the Warriors (1,792, 26 ppg) than any other team. Bryant's all time record against Golden State is 50-15, a career win-loss total that is as laughable as those Warrior squads Kobe was trouncing.

While Kobe Bryant's many highs against the Warriors throughout his illustrious 20 year career are what shine brightest, he has seen his share of discouraging lows as well. As mentioned earlier, Bryant suffered a torn Achilles against the Warriors in 2013, an injury that stripped him of his once superior athletic ability. In his previous game played against the Warriors on Nov. 24th Bryant played possibly the worst game of his career, in which he scored just four points on 1-of-14 shooting from the field.

While Kobe's lowlights are greatly overshadowed by the Warriors recent success, it is important for any youngsters (and/or bandwagoners) who are just getting into basketball to use the power of the internet and experience Bryant in his prime. Weather it be his NBA record 12 made three pointers in a single game or scoring 62 points in just three quarters against the Mavericks. Kobe is a once in a generation type of talent. I mean the man put up 81 points in a single game  for crying out loud.

The Warriors play the Lakers one more time in March in Los Angeles. Hopefully for Kobe's sake, he will be able to get his name announced in the starting lineup and receive the standing ovation that he deserves from the best crowd in the NBA, with a slew of boo's to boot.

FLO'S PICKS

From 1/13 vs. Denver:

ML - WARRIORS - LOSS - DEN 112-110

ATS - NUGGETS +15 - WIN - DEN by 2

O/U - OVER 215 - LOSS - 214 total points

Season Totals:
ML: 34-3 (92%)
ATS: 20-17 (54%)
O/U: 20-17 (54%)

If Draymond Green plays tonight against the Lakers, I'll take the Warriors with the points. If he sits, I like the Lakers plus 17 points. Here are my picks for tonight's game against the Lakers:

ML - WARRIORS
ATS - LAKERS +17 (if Draymond sits)
O/U - OVER 216

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