Golden State Warriors: 3 bold predictions to expect on opening night

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors loses control of the ball as he is guarded by Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 115-113 Warriors win on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Staples Center on January 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors loses control of the ball as he is guarded by Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 115-113 Warriors win on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Staples Center on January 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
2 of 4
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Warriors opening prediction: Anthony Davis tops 30 points and 15 rebounds

The Golden State Warriors are either going to have to consistently go small or give Anthony Davis a favorable matchup with the much slower Kevon Looney.

Second-year 7-foot center James Wiseman won’t be ready to play quite yet after tearing his meniscus late last season. With LeBron James aging and not playing as minutes, Davis should have ample opportunity to be the go-to option.

Last season was a relatively down season for the superstar big man. However, he still averaged 21.8 points per game. Against a soft defense, expect Davis to either go off or Green to take the challenge and the Warriors to consistently play small.

If Looney gets action and Davis is aggressive, he could certainly get going. Davis topped 30 or more points just six times last season. They need him to be aggressive, and it’d be shocking if he doesn’t have his way against the Dubs frontcourt.

The 6-foot-10, 28-year-old Davis should be able to thrive against Golden State, especially without Wiseman on the court.