Oklahoma City will host the Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night, who are without Anthony Davis but have been playing just fine without him.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are coming off a thrilling 113-92 win over former teammate Russell Westbrook and the Houston Rockets. After such an emotional victory on Thursday night, will they have a letdown this weekend? The Lakers will enter Saturday’s game on a seven-game winning streak.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Los Angeles is now 21-4 overall this season against Western Conference opponents, including a 112-107 win over the Thunder on November 19th. The Lakers are 15-3 in games in which they are the visiting team this season. Los Angeles still needs a few more wins to match its longest win streak of the season at 10 in a row. They’re just 5-4 in the last nine meetings, though, covering just three of those games.
The Thunder have turned a number of heads with some impressive wins of late, including victories over the Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers. Oklahoma City, which is 13-6 at home this season, has won 11 of its last 13 overall. The Thunder is 15-11 against Western Conference opponents so far this season.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers played without Davis (tailbone) on Friday night but the team did just fine, blowing out the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas. Davis was questionable for Friday’s game and he’s probably out on Saturday, but keep an eye on the injury news as he’s only dealing with a bruise.
The Lakers need more from their bench and they’re already having conversations as to what to do in terms of the trade market. Rajon Rondo is struggling and Kyle Kuzma is being floated as a trade piece. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 13 in the first meeting against Oklahoma City so perhaps he delivers another strong performance in this one. However, the Lakers will still need more from players like JaVale McGee and Danny Green if they are going to take down a motivated Oklahoma City side in the second of two games on back-to-back nights.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The most important thing to monitor ahead of this game is the status of both Davis and LeBron. If both stars play, we should see a similar result to the first time these teams met this season. However, if one or both miss this game then it would completely change the complexion of the matchup. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chris Paul and Dennis Schroeder will be motivated to produce strong performances on their home floor. Danilo Gallinari has really picked up his production of late and it has translated in to another scoring option on an already deeper roster than most people realized at the beginning of the year.
The Thunder have won seven of their last eight games and are on a roll right now. They’re 13-6 at home too, so they won’t be an easy out. However, if the Lakers stars play, it’s probably too tall an order for the Thunder to eke out the win – especially coming off such a big, emotional win on Thursday
Who Will Win Lakers vs. Thunder?
Line History
No odds are available yet.
Injuries
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Rajon Rondo (PG)
Deonte Burton (PG)
Steven Adams (C)
Abdel Nader (SF)
Luguentz Dort (SG)
Danilo Gallinari (SF)
Nerlens Noel (C)
Andre Roberson (SG)
Steven Adams (C)
Terrance Ferguson (SG)
Mike Muscala (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Sun | Finger - 11 / 10 / 20 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Green is dealing with soreness in his left ring finger but is anticipated to face the Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Tues | Finger - 05 / 10 / 20 | 0-3 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Green is tending to a volar plate injury in his left ring finger but is projected to suit up against the Heat in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Sun | Hip - 03 / 10 / 20 | 1-4 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Green is bothered by tightness in his hip and a volar plate injury in his left ring finger. He is likely to suit up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Heat. |
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| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Wed | Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Caruso is expected to play against the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore right wrist. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Wed | Finger - 29 / 09 / 20 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Green is projected to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a volar plate injury to his left ring finger. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Sat | Finger - 26 / 09 / 20 | 2-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Green is managing a hyperextended left ring finger, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets. |
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| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Sat | Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20 | 2-5 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Caruso is battling a sore right wrist, but is likely to be in the lineup for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets. |
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| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Thurs | Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20 | 2-6 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Caruso is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals despite right wrist soreness. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Thurs | Finger - 23 / 09 / 20 | 2-6 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Green is battling a volar plate injury in his left finger but is likely to take on the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. |
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| Rajon Rondo (PG) | Prob Sun | Back - 19 / 09 / 20 | 4-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Rondo has been dealing with back spasms, but he is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Western Conference final against the Nuggets. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deonte Burton (PG) | Ques Wed | Illness - 24 / 08 / 20 | 3-1 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Burton is ailing from a stomach illness, and it is unclear if he will fight it off in time for Game 7 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets. |
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| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Mon | Knee - 22 / 08 / 20 | 3-2 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Adams has a bruised right knee but is expected to be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference first round versus the Rockets. |
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| Abdel Nader (SF) | Prob Tues | Neck - 16 / 08 / 20 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Nader is battling a neck injury, but it is expected that he will play versus the Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Rockets. |
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| Luguentz Dort (SG) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 12 / 08 / 20 | 4-5 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Dort suffered a right knee sprain, but it is anticipated that he will participate in Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets. |
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| Danilo Gallinari (SF) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20 | 5-5 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Gallinari was absent from the lineup during the last game due to a left ankle injury, but it is expected that he will be in Wednesday's lineup against the Heat. |
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| Nerlens Noel (C) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 09 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Noel missed his second straight game with a sore right ankle, but he is projected to be active against the Heat on Wednesday. |
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| Andre Roberson (SG) | Ques Mon | Foot - 09 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Roberson sat out the previous game due to a sore right foot, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Suns on Monday. |
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| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Wed | Leg - 07 / 08 / 20 | 6-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Adams has sat out the past three games with a left lower-leg contusion, but it is anticipated that he will return to action Wednesday versus the Heat. |
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| Terrance Ferguson (SG) | Ques Fri | Leg - 03 / 08 / 20 | 7-7 | 7-7 | + - |
|
Ferguson has been absent from the lineup during the previous two games due to a right lower-leg contusion, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status for Friday's matchup with the Grizzlies. |
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| Mike Muscala (PF) | Prob Sun | Concussion - 03 / 08 / 20 | 7-7 | 7-7 | + - |
|
Muscala has cleared the league's concussion protocol, and will likely make his return to the lineup Sunday against the Wizards. |
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Line History
No odds are available yet.
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Injuries
Danny Green (SG)
Prob Sun Finger - 11 / 10 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Tues Finger - 05 / 10 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Sun Hip - 03 / 10 / 20Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Wed Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Wed Finger - 29 / 09 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Sat Finger - 26 / 09 / 20Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Sat Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Thurs Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Thurs Finger - 23 / 09 / 20Rajon Rondo (PG)
Prob Sun Back - 19 / 09 / 20Deonte Burton (PG)
Ques Wed Illness - 24 / 08 / 20Steven Adams (C)
Prob Mon Knee - 22 / 08 / 20Abdel Nader (SF)
Prob Tues Neck - 16 / 08 / 20Luguentz Dort (SG)
Prob Thurs Knee - 12 / 08 / 20Danilo Gallinari (SF)
Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20Nerlens Noel (C)
Prob Wed Ankle - 09 / 08 / 20Andre Roberson (SG)
Ques Mon Foot - 09 / 08 / 20Steven Adams (C)
Prob Wed Leg - 07 / 08 / 20Terrance Ferguson (SG)
Ques Fri Leg - 03 / 08 / 20Mike Muscala (PF)
Prob Sun Concussion - 03 / 08 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Danny Green (SG) Prob Sun Finger - 11 / 10 / 20 0-1 1-0 + - Green is dealing with soreness in his left ring finger but is anticipated to face the Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Tues Finger - 05 / 10 / 20 0-3 1-2 + - Green is tending to a volar plate injury in his left ring finger but is projected to suit up against the Heat in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Sun Hip - 03 / 10 / 20 1-4 2-3 + - Green is bothered by tightness in his hip and a volar plate injury in his left ring finger. He is likely to suit up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Heat.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Wed Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20 2-4 3-3 + - Caruso is expected to play against the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore right wrist.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Wed Finger - 29 / 09 / 20 2-4 3-3 + - Green is projected to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a volar plate injury to his left ring finger.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Sat Finger - 26 / 09 / 20 2-4 4-3 + - Green is managing a hyperextended left ring finger, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Sat Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20 2-5 5-3 + - Caruso is battling a sore right wrist, but is likely to be in the lineup for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Thurs Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20 2-6 5-4 + - Caruso is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals despite right wrist soreness.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Thurs Finger - 23 / 09 / 20 2-6 5-4 + - Green is battling a volar plate injury in his left finger but is likely to take on the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.
Rajon Rondo (PG) Prob Sun Back - 19 / 09 / 20 4-6 6-5 + - Rondo has been dealing with back spasms, but he is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Western Conference final against the Nuggets.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Deonte Burton (PG) Ques Wed Illness - 24 / 08 / 20 3-1 2-2 + - Burton is ailing from a stomach illness, and it is unclear if he will fight it off in time for Game 7 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Mon Knee - 22 / 08 / 20 3-2 2-3 + - Adams has a bruised right knee but is expected to be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference first round versus the Rockets.
Abdel Nader (SF) Prob Tues Neck - 16 / 08 / 20 3-4 3-4 + - Nader is battling a neck injury, but it is expected that he will play versus the Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Rockets.
Luguentz Dort (SG) Prob Thurs Knee - 12 / 08 / 20 4-5 5-4 + - Dort suffered a right knee sprain, but it is anticipated that he will participate in Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets.
Danilo Gallinari (SF) Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20 5-5 6-4 + - Gallinari was absent from the lineup during the last game due to a left ankle injury, but it is expected that he will be in Wednesday's lineup against the Heat.
Nerlens Noel (C) Prob Wed Ankle - 09 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-5 + - Noel missed his second straight game with a sore right ankle, but he is projected to be active against the Heat on Wednesday.
Andre Roberson (SG) Ques Mon Foot - 09 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-5 + - Roberson sat out the previous game due to a sore right foot, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Suns on Monday.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Wed Leg - 07 / 08 / 20 6-6 6-6 + - Adams has sat out the past three games with a left lower-leg contusion, but it is anticipated that he will return to action Wednesday versus the Heat.
Terrance Ferguson (SG) Ques Fri Leg - 03 / 08 / 20 7-7 7-7 + - Ferguson has been absent from the lineup during the previous two games due to a right lower-leg contusion, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status for Friday's matchup with the Grizzlies.
Mike Muscala (PF) Prob Sun Concussion - 03 / 08 / 20 7-7 7-7 + - Muscala has cleared the league's concussion protocol, and will likely make his return to the lineup Sunday against the Wizards.