Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 3 Prediction, NBA Odds
11Following a pair of losses in OKC, the Lakers know they pretty much have to take Game 3 on Saturday evening if they want to have any chance of staging an improbable comeback. As expected, the Thunder have looked like the far better team so far with victories by scores of 108-90 and 125-107.
It was a similar story throughout the regular season, as Oklahoma won all four head-to-head encounters by a combined 117 points. In fact, the Thunder have won seven in a row in this matchup dating back to April of 2025.
Thunder vs. Lakers NBA Betting Odds
The Thunder were -15.5 and -16.5 favourites in the first two contests, but the spread has plunged to -8.5 in OKC’s favour now that the series has shifted to Los Angeles. After just 198 points were scored in Game 1, the total dipped from 213.5 in the series opener to 211.5 on Thursday. Even though Game 2 produced 232 points, Saturday’s total remains at 211.5.
Oklahoma City is an incredible 7-0 against the spread in the last seven head-to-head meetings, while boasting a 3-1 ATS mark in its last four games dating back to Round 1 against Phoenix. Los Angeles is 1-4 ATS in its last five overall. The over is 7-2 in the Thunder’s last nine contests, but the under is 3-1 in the Lakers’ last four.
Oklahoma City Thunder
How good are the Thunder? They are undefeated in the playoffs and have won every game by at least nine points despite Jalen Williams missing the last four contests due to a hamstring injury. Williams (17.1 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.6 RPG during the regular season) is listed as doubtful for Saturday.
Williams’ absence has not hurt the defending NBA champions through six playoff games because reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Aleander is getting plenty of help from other sources. Among them is Ajay Mitchell, who has scored at least 15 points in five straight games and at least 18 in three straight.
Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Doncic remains sidelined by a hamstring injury, and his return does not appear to be imminent. The 27-year-old is still week-to-week rather than day-to-day, so Los Angeles would probably have to extend this series to seven games or even advance to the conference finals for Doncic to have any chance of coming back this season.
The Lakers at least welcomed back Austin Reaves from his oblique issue, and his return has certainly helped. Reaves averaged 18.5 PPG in the last two first-round games against Houston and scored 31 points on Thursday. The Oklahoma product shot 10-for-16 from the field and 3-for-6 from three-point range.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Thunder vs. Lakers?
Is a change in scenery enough to tip the scales as significantly as the point spread indicates? The odds aren’t calling the Lakers to win, but they are forecasting a competitive contest. However, Oklahoma City has completely owned this matchup in recent seasons – as it has against pretty much every opponent other than San Antonio. OKC was better on the road (30-10) during the regular season than L.A. was at home (28-13), so there is no reason to get carried away by this game being played at Crypto.com Arena. Let’s go with Thunder 113, Lakers 102.
OKC
LAL