The LA Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder meet Tuesday in NBA Game 1 at the Paycom Center. Here’s a Thunder vs. Lakers Prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs. Lakers Pick.
LA Lakers Betting Preview
The LA Lakers beat the Rockets in 6 games and are in the second round for the first time since the 2022-23 season. The Lakers have won 20 of their last 26 games.
The LA Lakers are averaging 101.2 points on 47.4 percent shooting and allowing 98.7 points on 40.9 percent shooting. LeBron James is averaging 23.2 points and 7.2 rebounds, while Austin Reaves is averaging 18.5 points and 3.5 rebounds. Rui Hachimura is the third double-digit scorer, and Marcus Smart is grabbing 3.7 rebounds. The LA Lakers are shooting 38.6 percent from beyond the arc and 73.4 percent from the free-throw line. The LA Lakers are allowing 30.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.5 rebounds per game.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Suns and will play for the first time in 8 days. The Thunder have won 11 of their last 13 games.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 122.8 points on 48.7 percent shooting and allowing 105.5 points on 44.6 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 33.8 points and 8 assists, while Jalen Williams is averaging 20.5 points and 4 rebounds. Chet Holmgren is the third double-digit scorer, and Ajay Mitchell is grabbing 5 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 36.3 percent from beyond the arc and 86.9 percent from the free throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 34 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44 rebounds per game.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 10 games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Lakers have lost each of their last 11 playoff games as road underdogs against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last six night games against the Lakers.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won six of their last seven games as underdogs.
- The Thunder have lost five of their last six Western Conference Semifinals games as favorites following a win.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six Western Conference Semifinals games following a win.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in six of their last seven games as underdogs.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Thunder’s last nine night games have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Lakers’ last five Western Conference Semifinals games as underdogs has gone OVER 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
- Luke Kennard ranks 1st amongst qualified players for 3P% (47.8%) this season.
- LeBron James ranks 1st amongst qualified players for fast break points per game (5.7) this season.
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 Injury Report
Luka Dončić is out for the Lakers.
The Thunder will be without Thomas Sober and Jalen Williams.
Thunder vs Lakers Prediction
The Thunder should smash the Lakers as long as Luka is out, as there’s just not enough man power here. However, the Thunder are 41-44-1 ATS on the season, so I’m not excited to back them in a massive favorite role. OKC has also had 8 days off so who knows how they’ll look with a long layoff? Also, since April 9, the Lakers are 6-1 ATS and SU as an underdog. Yes, the matchup looks ugly on paper, but this line is ridiculous for a second-round playoff game. I’ll take the points.