The LA Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder meet Tuesday in NBA action at the Paycom Center. Here’s a LA Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction. This article will include a LA Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Pick.
The LA Lakers beat the Pelicans and Thunder, and they play the Mavs, Rockets, and Trail Blazers next. The Lakers have won five of their last seven games and are the third seed in the West.
The LA Lakers are averaging 113.4 points on 47.9 percent shooting and allowing 112.1 points on 46.3 percent shooting. LeBron James is averaging 24.5 points and 8.1 rebounds, while Luka Doncic is averaging 27.5 points and 8.6 rebounds. Austin Reaves is the third double-digit scorer, and Rui Hachimura is grabbing 5.1 rebounds. The LA Lakers are shooting 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 78.9 percent from the free-throw line. The LA Lakers are allowing 35.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.4 rebounds per game.
The Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the Rockets and Lakers, and then play the Suns, Jazz, and Pelicans next. The Thunder haven’t lost three straight games this season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 120 points on 48.1 percent shooting and allowing 107.5 points on 43.7 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.9 points and 6.3 assists, while Jalen Williams is averaging 21.2 points and 5.4 rebounds. Chet Holmgren is the third double-digit scorer, and Isaiah Hartenstein is grabbing 10.9 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 37.4 percent from beyond the arc and 82 percent from the free-throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 34.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.7 rebounds per game.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
The Thunder have won each of their last 10 night games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
The Lakers have lost 15 of their last 16 road games on the first leg of a back-to-back after winning as underdogs.
The Thunder have covered the spread in 11 of their last 12 night games.
The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games on the first leg of a back-to-back against the Thunder.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
The Lakers have won each of their last five games as underdogs following a road win.
The Thunder have lost six of their last seven games at Paycom Center against Lakers teams that held a winning record.
The Lakers have covered the spread in 12 of their last 13 games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games at Paycom Center against Lakers teams that held a winning record.
The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent steals per game this season (6.7).
The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent turnovers per game this season (17.1).
The Lakers rank 27th in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (9.6).
The Lakers rank 4th in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (4.1).
The LA Lakers will be without Maxi Kleber and Rui Hachimura. Bronny James, Dorian Finney-Smith, Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic are questionable.
The Thunder will be without Alex Ducas, Ajay Mitchell, Jaylin Williams, Ousmane Dieng, and Nikola Topic.
The Lakers blew the doors off the Thunder a couple of days ago and they’re capable of another win, but their injury report is alarming. It’s the reason this line is what it is, as Luka, LeBron, Reaves, and others are questionable. It’s important to check for updates before betting. However, it’s tough to back the Lakers not knowing if half the team is going to be out. The Lakers need wins to stay out of the play-in tournament, but here we are anyway. At the time of this writing, I’m assuming the Lakers will be undermanned. I have to side with the Thunder in a revenge spot.
