LeBron James and Stephen Curry meet for the fifth time in the NBA postseason Wednesday night as the “play-in” tournament continues with a Western Conference all-California confrontation between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.

James and the defending NBA Finals champion Lakers play host to Golden State. The red-hot Curry nabbed the NBA scoring title at age 33 with a 46-point outburst against Memphis on Sunday. That 113-101 Warriors victory over the Grizzlies also secured the eighth spot in the West for the Warriors, who won eight of 10 to close the regular season.

The Warriors needed each of those last eight wins to avoid a one-and-done scenario as the 9th seed in the West. Neither Los Angeles nor Golden State will see its season end Wednesday no matter the outcome. The winner clinches the seventh seed in the West and a ticket against No. 2 seed Phoenix.

The Suns outdistanced the Clippers and Lakers in the Pacific Division and rode the momentum of their 8-0 run in the Bubble last season to a divisional title after being +1200 to win it as late as February.

The loser of the Warriors-Lakers Wednesday game will get a second chance to advance as the 8th overall seed. It gets the winner of the 9/10 game between Memphis and San Antonio.

The Lakers are 5-points favorites at DraftKings and rest at -190 on the money line. The visiting Warriors are +160. The line is 4.5 at William Hill. The total is a lean 219.5 at FanDuel.

In terms of sentiment, the spread betting is fairly split with 53% of the handle and 50% of the slips on the Warriors at FanDuel. The Lakers are absorbing 83% of the money line handle, while 91% of the money bet on the total is backing the over.

The first four times James and Curry shared the marquee in the postseason, an NBA title was at stake. Curry’s Warriors won three of those matchups, as the Warriors dominated the league from 2015-19. This time, each team is finding itself in an unfamiliar spot as a team on the verge of missing or making the first round.

CHECK OUT: Latest 2021 NBA Title Odds From Top Online Sportsbooks

Warriors-Lakers: 5 Props To Back In Play-In Game

Bettors and fans have plenty to absorb before Wednesday's 10 p.m. (ESPN) tipoff. Here are five prop bets to back in this Western Conference rumble.

LeBron James 27+ Points (-106 FOX Bet)

Since I was 19 years old! And I’m a pass first guy. Always been. That’s why I’m never mentioned with the greats of scoring huh?? That’s perfect cause I’d rather keep it that way! ?. #ThekidfromAKRON?? #SFG? #JamesGang? #Blessed?? pic.twitter.com/QGqFFHu3jj

— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 17, 2021

This is a game James did not want. He became a late-season critic of the “play-in” system when it became likely that the Lakers were not going to grab the sixth seed. While this is not a one-and-done situation, James will treat it as such. He’s even begun softening the opposition by declaring Curry should be league MVP.

Meanwhile, James became the first player to average 25 points or more over 17 seasons this year. If he can average 25 points over 17 years, he should be able to get to 27 (-106 at FOX Bet) with ease here. There are higher numbers available for value, but this is a solid wager with just a minor price. You should be at ease with several minutes to play.

Anthony Davis Over 9.5 Rebounds (+108 with FanDuel)

The health of Anthony Davis is perhaps the biggest unknown on the eve of the postseason for the Lakers. He and the Lakers won their final five games of the regular season and Davis appears to be fully healthy heading into Wednesday’s game.

With James ready to unload on offense, even a less-than-100% Davis will be in position to deliver a substantial presence on the defensive end and setting up LeBron off the break. Getting 9.5 rebounds will be a challenge but not too much of a metaphorical stretch, especially at +108 with FanDuel .

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Lakers -2.5 First Half (-110 BetMGM)

Both teams are playing well and have healed as much as one could expect after a 72-game season. But the Lakers are home. And even though capacity is limited to about 11%, or around 2,000 fans, their impact will be magnified by the fact that the Lakers played most of the season inside empty arenas. Given the frustration and urgency being felt by the Lakers here, a quick and decisive start is likely, as is a decent lead at half. This is another low-risk, decent reward proposition at -110 via BetMGM .

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Draymond Green Over 26.5 Points, Rebounds & Assists (-113 Unibet)

Draymond Green this season:

✅ 444 PTS
✅ 449 REB
✅ 558 AST

Among NBA players with at least 30 games played in a season, Green is the first to finish with more rebounds and assists than points scored. pic.twitter.com/tZeBHRK1y4

— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) May 17, 2021

While Curry is dropping threes and dishing dimes, Draymond Green continues to do all the heavy lifting for the Warriors on both ends. His scoring was down this season – just 7.0 PPG – but he delivered career bests in assists at 8.9 APG and rebounds at 7.1 RPG. That’s only a total of 23 for this prop over the course of the season.

But when Green does score – meaning more than 10 points a night given he has to share the ball with Curry – the Warriors win and he has no trouble getting past the 26.5 number. Golden State is 15-4 in games where Green has scored more than 10 points. Sunday, his 14 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists helped ignite Curry and the Dubs. We like similar total numbers Wednesday to go over 26.5 at Unibet.

Stephen Curry Over 35.5 Points & LeBron James Over 25.5 Points (+200 William Hill)

We wanted to offer one play that is strictly based on value. And what better play is there at least from a rooting standpoint than to sit back and watch LeBron and Steph each light up the scoreboard? It’s hardly counterintuitive to think both will have what is for them near “normal” scoring efforts.

Since this is not a win-or-go-home game, the effort normally used up on the defense will likely be held back just in case it is needed for the winner of the 9/10 game. This game is the LeBron and Steph show for good reason. They will both shine. Those total points numbers are a good value at +200 at William Hill.

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