Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, NBA Odds
It’s going to feel like a B-rated version, but the Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending NBA champions who are just 5-5 in their last 10 games, travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers tonight at 10 p.m. ET. The Thunder are without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, who is out until after the All-Star break with an abdominal injury. The team has lost two straight without him, including a 112-106 setback to the Houston Rockets on Saturday. Cason Wallace had 21 points, and Chet Holmgren added 17 and 14 for Oklahoma City, which has looked mortal after jumping out to a historic 24-1 start.
The Lakers will also be missing their marquee player. Luke Doncic will miss his second straight game after suffering a mild hamstring strain Thursday night. Los Angeles fared well in its first game without him, getting 20 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds from LeBron James in a 105-99 triumph over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
The NBA odds board has the Thunder listed as 6.5-point favourites.
Thunder vs. Lakers NBA Betting Odds
OKC is 2-6 against the spread in its last eight games, while the Lakers are 4-1 straight up and ATS in their last five games and 6-2 ATS in their previous eight home tilts. The Thunder have cashed the Over in four of the past five games and in each of their last five road contests. Los Angeles has played to the Under in eight of 11 overall. The Under has also won in six of their last seven meetings.
This is the second of four games between the Thunder and Lakers this season. OKC defeated L.A., 121-92, in November on the strength of 30 points by Gilgeous-Alexander. Doncic led Los Angeles with 19 points.
Oklahoma City Thunder
It’s bad enough that the Thunder are without SGA, but they’re also without Jalen Williams, who was good enough to be named an All-Star last season, and emerging second-year guard Ajay Mitchell. Both of those players have been out for an extended stretch.
The team just added Jared McCain from the 76ers in a trade deadline deal. He could ultimately prove vital in another championship run, but he had just five points against the Rockets over the weekend.
Los Angeles Lakers
Without Donic, this is a bubble playoff team at best. Depending on James is like depending on a 2007 Ford Explorer with 400,000 kilometres on it in the middle of winter. Yeah, it should get you there, but you’ll feel tense and anxious the whole journey.
DeAndre Ayton is probable tonight after missing the Warriors game with a knee injury. Adou Thiero is out. Austin Reaves, the Lakers’ second-leading scorer at 26.1 points per game, just returned after missing 19 games with a calf injury. He had 16 points in the win over Golden State and is averaging 22 points in his first three games back in the lineup.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Thunder vs. Lakers?
This matchup is a letdown if you got tickets for Christmas and fantasized about seeing Doncic, and instead, you’re treated to a heavy dose of Jake LaRavia.
With SGA in the lineup, this is a no-brainer. Without him, the inconsistent Thunder of late can easily drop yet another winnable game. The Lakers have won three in a row at home and, with Reaves back, have a 1-2 scoring punch with James that can handle OKC’s Holmgren-Wallace retort. Look for the Lakers to not only cover the 6.5-point spread as underdogs, but win straight up, 107-103.
OKC
LAL