The Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder do battle in Game 2 of the West Semifinals at the Paycom Center on Thursday 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 were brimming with confidence following their 4-2 series win over the Rockets in the 1st Round, but they got stopped in their tracks by the Thunder in a 108-90 road defeat in Game 1 on Tuesday. LeBron James tried his best to carry the offense as he scored 27 points with six assists on 12 of 17 shooting; Rui Hachimura added 18 points on seven of 13 shooting; Marcus Smart scored 12 points, while Deandre Ayton tallied 10 points with 12 rebounds. As a team, the Lakers shot just 41 percent from the field and 10 of 30 from the 3-point line as they got off to a decent start and fought hard to trail by single digits for most of the contest until the fourth quarter, where the Lakers fell behind by as many as 21 points. Austin Reaves had a night to forget as he shot just three of 16 from the field and zero of five from the 3-point line to score just eight points while the bench players combined for just 15 points.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be eager to take a 2-0 series lead after taking care of business against the Lakers in Game 1 on Tuesday. Chet Holmgren led the team with 24 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell each scored 18 points, while Jared McCain chipped in with 12 points. As a team, the Thunder shot 49 percent from the field and 13 of 30 from the 3-point line as they hit the ground running and scored 61 points in the first half to take the early lead, but this was still a relatively close contest until the second half, where the Thunder restricted the Lakers to just 37 points to make it a blowout despite a quiet game from Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored just 18 points while committing seven turnovers.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 18 games at Paycom Center following a home win.
- The Lakers have lost each of their last eight playoff road games against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last seven night games against the Lakers.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won four of their last five games as underdogs against the Thunder following a loss.
- The Thunder have lost five of their last seven Western Conference Semifinals games as favorites following a win.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven Western Conference Semifinals games following a win.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in five of their last six Western Conference Semifinals games following a loss.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Lakers’ last 10 games as road underdogs following a road loss have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Thunder’s last four Western Conference Semifinals games against Pacific Division opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the only player in the league to have recorded 15+ assists without a turnover in a game this season.
- Cason Wallace ranks 1st in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.9) this season.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- LeBron James ranks 1st amongst qualified players for fast break points per game (5.7) this season.
- Deandre Ayton has recorded 11+ rebounds in three consecutive appearances—the equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+11.1).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (43.7%).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.5).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for field goal percentage this season (50.2%).
Thunder vs Lakers Prediction
The Lakers have ruled out Luka Doncic again with Jarred Vanderbilt and Luke Kennard both listed as game-time decisions, while the Thunder have ruled out Jalen Williams again. The Lakers weren’t able to avoid the blowout defeat on Tuesday despite a big game from James, which has to be demoralizing for a team already missing their best player. There’s definitely room for improvement for the Lakers, as I expect Reaves to have a much better game here, but I also expect a better game from the Thunder’s SGA who should bounce back from his sloppy performance on Tuesday.