The Los Angeles Lakers (2-2) will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (0-4) at Paycom Center tonight. Tip is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Lakers at Thunder odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
With both teams coming off a game yesterday, the Thunder should get a slight lean as they’re the healthier and younger team.
In an overtime thriller with the San Antonio Spurs, PF Anthony Davis went down. With SF LeBron James already out, the Lakers may struggle against one of the worst teams in the division.
The Thunder are coming off an 8-point home loss to the Warriors, their fourth straight. The Thunder and Detroit Pistons are the league’s lone winless teams.
They’ll look to change that Wednesday night against a shorthanded Lakers.
Lakers at Thunder odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 6:20 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Lakers -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Thunder +155 (bet $100 to win $155)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers -4.5 (-110) | Thunder +4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 215.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Lakers at Thunder key injuries
Lakers
- PF Anthony Davis (right knee) questionable
- SF Trevor Ariza (right ankle) out
- SG Wayne Ellington (left hamstring) questionable
- SF Talen Horton-Tucker (right thumb) out
- SF LeBron James (right ankle) out
- SG Kendrick Nunn (right knee) out
Thunder
- C Mike Muscala (rest) out
Lakers at Thunder odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Thunder 108, Lakers 103
Money line
“LEAN” on the THUNDER (+155) as a great plus-money bet. PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an ultra-talented guard, and he finally got going last night against the Warriors.
While the Thunder didn’t win, they did hold a lead for the bulk of the first half, losing after a 33-17 third-quarter from Golden State. They finally showed competence.
That said, the Lakers played an overtime game against the Spurs and have the oldest roster in the NBA, by a long shot. They should be worn down while the Thunder look spry.
That’s a key reason why I’m taking OKC.
Against the spread
BET the THUNDER +4.5 (-110) as Oklahoma City’s backcourt is aggressive and lengthy defensively.
The Thunder put up a strong fight against the Warriors. They came up short, but they did manage to cover the 9-point spread and hold two-time MVP PG Stephen Curry and rising star SG Jordan Poole to just 33 combined points.
With C Derrick Favors back in action after a game of rest, they should be able to hold down the LA frontcourt, especially with AD sounding more like he’ll be sidelined.
It’d be shocking to see him play on a back-to-back following an ankle injury, despite his questionable tag.
Nonetheless, lean to the Thunder; they’ll be at home and with a strong defensive backcourt. The Lakers backcourt will have to be their strength, and I’d bet against that happening… pun intended.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 215.5 (-112) as I feel the Lakers may struggle to score.
Even if Davis does play, he should see reduced minutes.
Without Davis and many of their key role players, as you can tell by the lengthy list above, the Lakers will be banking on a supernova performance from Russell Westbrook and Malik Monk to get the job done.
I’m not willing to bet they manage to up big-time points on an opposing backcourt of the 6-foot-3 215-pound SG Lu Dort and 6-foot-6 SGA.
Also, the Lakers rank outside the top ten in offensive rating with the Thunder in the bottom three. Without their two stars, the Lakers would likely be with OKC at the bottom of that rankings.
With that in mind, I’m leaning to the Under in this one.
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