The Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder collide at the Paycom Center on Wednesday night. Here’s a Thunder vs Lakers Prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs Lakers Pick.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers have been in great form as they’ve won six of their last seven games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after taking down the Hornets in a 121-111 road win on Monday. Luka Doncic led the team with 38 points, six rebounds and seven assists on 14 of 28 shooting, Austin Reaves added 24 points with seven assists while Rui Hachimura chipped in with 21 points on nine of 12 shooting. As a team, the Lakers shot 50 percent from the field and 14 of 39 from the 3-point line as they struggled to get going and trailed going into halftime. Before they dominated the third quarter by 31-15 to pull ahead by 18 points at one stage. It wasn’t all smooth sailing as the Lakers got only a combined 11 points from their bench players which allowed the Hornets back into the contest, but they did enough to secure the comfortable road win.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been the benchmark of the league as they have won 11 of their first 12 games. They are looking to build on their three-game win streak after blowing past the Warriors in a 126-102 victory last night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 28 points and 11 assists on nine of 11 shooting, Chet Holmgren added 23 points with 11 rebounds while Isaiah Joe chipped in with 18 points off the bench. As a team, the Thunder shot 50 percent from the field and 16 of 36 from the 3-point line as they kept the Warriors to just 19 points in the second quarter to take a 19-point lead into halftime. Before the Thunder exploded for 44 points in the third quarter to put the game to bed early.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 10 home games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Lakers have lost four of their last five games against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last seven night games against Pacific Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in 14 of their last 17 road games when playing with a rest advantage.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won five of their last six games as underdogs.
- The Thunder have lost each of their last three games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Lakers.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight home games on the second leg of a back-to-back against Western Conference opponents.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last five games against teams that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Lakers’ last nine games as underdogs have gone OVER the total points line.
- Eight of the last nine night games between the Lakers and Thunder at Paycom Center have gone OVER the total points line.
Thunder vs Lakers Prediction
The Lakers are still missing LeBron James and Gabe Vincent, while the Thunder have ruled out Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams and Aaron Wiggins once again. The Lakers are coming into this meeting with plenty of momentum, but they are underdogs against this surging Thunder team who have barely put a foot wrong yet this season. It wouldn’t be shocking if the Lakers pulled off the upset behind big games from Reaves and Doncic, especially with the Thunder playing on zero days rest. I still have the Thunder getting the win at home, but I can see the Lakers hanging around if the Thunder have an off shooting night.