The Oklahoma City Thunder can take one step closer to clinching the #1 spot in the Western Conference on Tuesday night as they take on the Los Angeles Lakers in the first game of a back-to-back in LA. The Thunder dominated the Lakers in OKC just a few days ago, and matters have only gotten worse for LA ever since.
The Lakers have played one game so far since losing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to injuries, and it wasn’t pretty. Less than a week after the Thunder dominated LA in OKC, I expect another dominant win. OKC is resting Jalen Williams, opting to play him tomorrow night against the LA Clippers, and LeBron James is questionable to play for LA. I bet he ends up sitting out, but it probably won’t matter either way. Don’t be surprised if the Thunder puts together another dominant performance, which features plenty of play time for the end of the bench.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Kicks Off Road Trip as Heavy Favorite Against the Lakers
The Oklahoma City Thunder is one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, and tonight, OKC hosts the Los Angeles Lakers, who are also streaking in a good way. Luka Doncic just put together one of the most impressive months of scoring in NBA history, and the Lakers have won 13 of their last 14 games. The Thunder has won 15 of the last 16, but more importantly, OKC has maintained the top spot in the West. The Lakers have no shot at breaking into the top two in the standings, but they are just 1.5 games ahead of the Nuggets for #3.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #77 Preview: Los Angeles Lakers
Both the Thunder and the Lakers are playing well lately, and even though OKC is 2-0 against LA so far this season, neither team was completely healthy in those games. Both teams are as close to full strength as they have been all season, and both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic have been playing lights out for their teams. LA’s defense has played better recently, but OKC’s defense is far more consistent. The Thunder has been far better in clutch situations, as well, so this one has all the right ingredients to end in not just a win for OKC, but a big win against a good team.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Nearly a Double-Digit Home Favorite Against Lakers
Now the Thunder travels to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers, who are also missing their best scorer, Luka Doncic. On the bright side, OKC is getting Jalen Williams back in the lineup after missing 10 games due to a strained hamstring. Williams could be playing with a minutes restriction, but it makes sense that the Thunder would not let him return without being confident in his health, as they are in no rush to return players, especially at further risk of injury.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #54 Preview: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have been pretty unimpressive for a while now, but they are currently riding a 3-game win streak. OKC has lost two in a row, and I don’t see them losing a third consecutive game. OKC is missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but the Lakers are without Luka Doncic. Plus, Jalen Williams is back in action after missing the last 10 games. I like OKC’s tenacity as the key to this one, so I won’t be surprised if the Thunder wins by double digits.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Favored On the Road Against the Lakers As Jalen Williams Makes Return
It’s been two days since the Oklahoma City Thunder suffered an embarrassing 126-99 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers. The loss was OKC’s second in a row marking just the second time all season that the Thunder has lost back-to-back games. That’s as far as the losing streak has made it, though, and with the Lakers on deck for a rare scheduling quirk, OKC has an opportunity to get back on track.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #79 Preview: Los Angeles Lakers
OKC has lost no more than two consecutive games this season, and they have only done that twice. I don’t see them giving up a third consecutive loss, especially after letting the Lakers walk all over them on Sunday. Normally, there’s no way I would expect the Thunder to cover this large of a spread after what happened two days prior. Still, it feels like the Lakers are satisfied with winning one of the two meetings in OKC, which is why they’re likely to rest their key players, including LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves. Regardless of who plays, I do expect the game to be fairly close for at least the majority of the first three quarters, but I believe the Thunder will want avenge Sunday’s embarrassing loss with a big win tonight.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | With LeBron, Luka, and Others Upgraded to Probably, OKC Still a Heavy Favorite
The Oklahoma City Thunder saw their 11-game win streak come to an end on Friday night with a 125-111 loss to the Rockets in Houston, but now OKC gets a chance to get back on the winning track as they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday afternoon before playing them again at home on Tuesday night.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #78 Preview: Los Angeles Lakers
OKC hasn’t lost a lot of games this season, but when they do, they recover well. The Thunder has lost back-to-back games just once, and they tend to come out with a little extra after a loss, often blowing teams out by 20+. I don’t think they beat the Lakers that badly, but I do believe OKC sneaks over the line to cover the spread.
View More Thunder Against Spread | OKC a Near Double-Digit Spread At Home Against Lakers