Lakers' top offense faces Warriors' 26th-ranked defense Friday

The Lakers (4-1), owners of the NBA's top offense, visit the Warriors (2-3) on Friday, October 30 (10:00 PM ET), in a game that turns on Golden State's offensive rebounding against its 26th-ranked defense.

Los Angeles scores 120.5 points per 100 possessions and has a 61.7 effective field goal percentage, both best in the league. Golden State's opponents shoot 58.7 by that measure, 29th, so the Warriors allow the kind of looks the Lakers already make.

The Warriors have one clear counter. They recover 33.9 percent of their own misses, first in the league, while the Lakers rank 27th on the defensive glass at 68.9. Every extra possession shrinks the gap that the defense opens.

Luka Doncic averages 36 points and 8.3 assists in four games. Stephen Curry averages 28.8 points and has made every free throw he has taken. Yaxel Lendeborg leads Golden State with nine rebounds a game.

Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody and Kristaps Porzingis are out for the Warriors, and Butler averages 30 minutes a game. Gui Santos is doubtful.

Walker Kessler, the Lakers' leader in rebounds and blocks, is available. Ziaire Williams is questionable and Cameron Carr is out.

The Lakers beat Golden State 127-105 on Wednesday, October 21, in the first meeting of the season. They later lost 136-129 to Portland at home, so the offense has not carried every night. The Warriors arrive with two straight wins, 119-114 at Minnesota and 134-114 at Denver.

Sportsbooks' prices give the Lakers a 57% chance to win. Keel's projection, built from the players available, puts it at 67%, with Los Angeles ahead by 5.5 points.