Thunder Against the Spread | Expect Another Close One with the Lakers

Tip-Off: 7 PM CT

Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

Spread: Los Angeles Lakers (-5)

Total: 217.5

Thunder/Lakers Trends Against The Spread

LakersThunder
All
9-16 (36%) Overall15-9 (62%) Overal
Location
4-5 (44%) on the road7-4 (63%) at home
Status
5-12 (29%) as a favorite14-8 (63%) as an underdog
Location Status
1-3 (25%) as a road favorite6-3 (66%) as a home underdog
Head To Head
0-2 (0%)2-0 (100%)

Thunder/Lakers Trends Against The Total

  • OKC is hitting the over 41% of the time this season.
  • The Lakers are hitting the over 60% of the time this season.
  • The Thunder are 5-6 against the over at home.
  • Los Angeles is 5-4 against the over on the road.

Key Players

The Lakers are stacked with seasoned veterans who can have a big impact on any given night. Lebron James and Russell Westbrook are two difference makers for Los Angeles, but they’re not the X-factor when it comes to playing the Thunder. Anthony Davis has found consistent success against OKC over the years, and he should undoubtedly be the key focus for tonight’s matchup.

In the two meetings so far this season, Davis is averaging 29.5 points on 54.7% shooting, 13 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. If the Thunder wants to have a shot at another win, they have to figure out how to slow down Anthony Davis, or they could be in for a long night.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander receives most of the attention when it comes to the Thunder, but one player in particular has had some of his best games of the season against the Lakers, and that player is Darius Bazley. For the season, Bazley is averaging 8.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, all while shooting 27.7% from three. Against the Lakers this season, however, Bazley is averaging 17 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, but what sounds out the most is that he is 6-of-11 (54.5%) from three. Bazley needs to keep contributing to the offense like that.

Series History

Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 26-21 against the Lakers (14-9 at home, 12-12 on the road). The Thunder is 2-0 (1-0 at home, 1-0 on the road) against the Lakers so far this season.

Why the Thunder Will Cover (+6)

OKC is on a roll right now—by their standards at least—with back-to-back wins on the road, while the Lakers are fresh off a 108-95 loss to the Grizzlies in Memphis. Couple that with the way these games have gone so far this season, and while I don’t expect the Thunder to win, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least. This is likely to turn into thrilling game with a dramatic finish.

Staff Picks

Why the Game Will Hit the Over (215.5)

The Thunder has the lowest scoring offense in the league, but the Lakers aren’t a particularly great defensive team. On top of that, Los Angeles averages 111.3 points per game, which is fifth in the NBA. 215 is a high point total, especially in a game that involves the Thunder, but unless OKC turns it up defensively, we could see more points than normal in this one.

On the Season

NameMoneylineSpreadOver/Under
Matt15-612-913-8
Zack13-813-811-10
Craig13-710-1012-8

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