The NBA is back on Friday with a huge Western Conference showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors

Both sides come out of the All Star break looking to pick up where they left off as they seek to climb up the standings in the final weeks of the regular season.

The Lakers went into the break with a 7-3 record in their last 10 matches, taking their season tally to 30-26. Darvin Ham’s side remained in 9th spot in the West, 3.5 games behind sixth placed New Orleans Pelicans, with a win against the Warriors helping their push to avoid the play-in tournament.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis have both been in tremendous form, averaging 24.8 and 24.9 points per game respectively, while D’Angelo Russell has significantly lifted his offensive output in recent weeks, averaging 21.5 ppg since the start of the new year.

Their opponents, Golden State, are also looking to make inroads on the standings, sitting in 10th place with a 27-26 record. The Warriors turned a corner before the break with an 8-2 record in their last 10 games, off the back of Stephen Curry’s 29.2 ppg since the start of the new year.

Draymond Green’s return from suspension has helped the team significantly, while Klay Thompson’s form continues to fluctuate, but scored 35 points off the bench against the Utah Jazz in their last game before the break.

The last meeting between the two teams was a classic, with the Lakers winning 145-144 in double overtime back in January.

Don’t miss this high-stakes battle between two of the NBA’s most iconic teams.  For those looking to add an extra thrill, check out the latest odds from the VBA bookies. It’s more than just a game; it’s a clash of titans!