On Sunday, 04/06, the Oklahoma City Thunder (64-13) will host the Los Angeles Lakers (47-30) in a Western Conference match-up. The Thunder have reigned supreme at the top position in the West, while the Lakers have a loose hold at the third spot. Will the unstoppable Thunder crush the star-studded LA squad? Read through the preview, total predictions, and player props here.
The Oklahoma City Thunder comes into this game after a 14-point loss against the Houston Rockets, despite an electric 33-point performance by Jalen Williams. The defeat broke an 11-game winning streak, but the Thunder are primed to finish at the top. The team has lost only more than one game on a trot way back in November, and that two-game losing streak is their longest one. They are the only team to enjoy such a window.
Their +/- of +13 is second best in NBA history behind the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls’ +14. The Thunder is spectacular on both ends. They have scored 120.3 points per game(4th) while giving up just 107.2 PPG(2nd) this season. The best part about their season has been their ability to soak injuries. The team survived the absence of core players Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, indicating they have championship-level depth
The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the game after a 16-point win against the New Orleans Pelicans as Luka Doncic erupted for 35 points. It was their fourth win in six games, allowing them to erase some fluctuations caused by a 3-6 period before that. The Lakers have improved on the offensive end since Doncic’s inclusion, but he is yet to mesh into their defensive schemes.
Austin Reaves has been on a tear, while LeBron James has been doing what he is doing for the last 20+ years. Thus, the Lakers are in terrific shape depth-wise, especially when Rui Hachimura is healthy. Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent have added great depth, whereas Jarred Vanderbilt may need to improve his play further. The center position remains a concern, but the squad has all the tools to craft a deep postseason run.
Both teams have hovered around the 120-point mark lately. On one hand, LA has given up 115+ more often, OKC has also played a substantial number of shootouts lately. However, I expect the Thunder to recover after conceding 125 against the Rockets and pin the Lakers below 110. Meanwhile, I expect them to score over 110.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to score over 34.5 points: SGA has tallied over 32.5 PPG throughout the season. I believe he will be in the 36-39 range here.
Isaiah Hartenstein to grab over 10.5 rebounds: Hartenstein has accumulated just 7.6 rebounds per game in the last five games, way down compared to his season average of 10.7 RPG. However, I expect him to touch his season average here
Luka Doncic to be held under 27.5 points: The all-around wizard has tallied around 27.5 points a game since being part of the Lakers. However, I expect the Thunder defense to shut him down below the mark.
Austin Reaves to be held below 19.5 points: Reaves has averaged over 22 PPG since February, and has a bunch of 30-point nights under his belt. I expect the Thudner to hold him below 20, though
OKC is 33-5 at home and has had minimum troubles, even against tough teams like the Lakers. But LA’s depth always makes them a contender to win a game, even if it is against the best of the best. However, I see the Thunder defense lock and load here, shutting down the backcourt duo of Doncic and Reaves. I believe the Thunder will win this game by 5+ points. However. I am a bit torn by the bookmakers’ assessment of Thunder winning by 9+ points; going that far doesn’t look like a safe pick, but expecting the Lakers to cover a spread of +8/9 or so is a tricky pick too. Thus, I stick by Thunder performing as per the spread.
