Oklahoma City Thunder (14-4) vs. LA Lakers (11-7)
November 29, 2024 10:00 pm EDT
The Line: LA Lakers +1.5; Over/Under: +229.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers collide at the crypto.com Arena on Friday night. Here’s an LA Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction. This article will include an LA Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been in great shape as they’ve won six of their last eight games overall and they will be aiming for a fourth straight victory after outlasting the Warriors in a 105-101 road win on Wednesday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 35 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, Isaiah Joe added 17 points while Isaiah Hartenstein chipped in with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists.
As a team, the Thunder shot 45 percent from the field and 11 of 37 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 39 points in the first quarter to lead by as many as 19 points, but they suffered a mental lapse and really had to scrap at the end, just to escape with the narrow win. The Thunder will meet the Rockets, Jazz, and Raptors after this game.
Los Angeles Lakers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in great form as they’ve won seven of their last 10 games overall and they will be feeling good after snapping a three-game skid with a 119-101 road win over the Spurs on Wednesday. Dalton Knecht led the team in scoring with 20 points, Anthony Davis added 19 points with 14 rebounds and seven assists while LeBron James racked up a triple-double of 16 points with 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
As a team, the Lakers shot 53 percent from the field and 13 of 34 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Spurs from the start to take a double-digit lead into halftime and they just never took their foot off the gas to finish with the much-needed blowout victory following three straight defeats. The Lakers will face the Jazz and Wolves following this one.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won five of their last six games as underdogs against the Thunder.
- The Thunder have lost each of their last five games at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last eight Friday games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games at Crypto.com Arena.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Thunder’s last 10 road games following a road win has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Lakers’ last four games as home underdogs has gone OVER the total points line.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Anthony Davis ranks 2nd in the league for points in the paint (298) this season.
- LeBron James ranks 1st amongst qualified Forwards for assists per game (9.3) this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for points per 36 minutes (30.9) this season.
- Luguentz Dort ranks T50th amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.2) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for free throws made per game this season (19.8).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (25.2).
- The Thunder rank 30th in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (49.2).
- The Thunder rank 30th in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (13.4).
LA Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction
The Thunder are still missing some players including Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams, and Alex Caruso, while the Lakers are still missing Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt. The Thunder have been one of the form teams in the league, but they were far from convincing in their narrow win over the Warriors on Wednesday. Sure, the Thunder will be happy with the win, but they were lucky to escape after blowing a 19-point lead, so I am looking at the Lakers who represent decent value as the home underdog in this spot. This one could go either way, but I think the Lakers can get the job done in a close one.
