The Oklahoma City Thunder (24-56) visit Crypto.com Arena Friday to take on the Los Angeles Lakers (31-49). Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Thunder vs. Lakers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Thunder are coming off a 137-101 loss to the Utah Jazz Wednesday. Oklahoma City has been playing without its top four scorers for quite some time and will be without them again versus the Lakers.
While the Thunder are 2-3 against the spread (ATS) over their last five outings, they are 9-3 ATS over their last 12, so they have been able to hang with most opponents. Motivation will be a factor for both teams in this game.
The Lakers lost 128-112 Thursday at the Golden State Warriors. Los Angeles is eliminated from even play-in tournament contention, and it will be without all three of the Big 3 tonight.
The Lakers are 2-5 ATS over their last seven contests. They’ve struggled to keep up with opponents, mainly due to their horrific defense, and haven’t held an opponent to fewer than 110 points since allowing 109 points March 11.
Thunder at Lakers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:10 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Thunder +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Lakers -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Thunder +5.5 (-108) | Lakers -5.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 227.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Thunder at Lakers key injuries
Thunder
- F Darius Bazley (knee) out
- G Lu Dort (shoulder) out
- G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) out
- G Josh Giddey (hip) out
Lakers (not officially submitted)
- F Anthony Davis (foot) out
- F LeBron James (ankle) out
- G Russell Westbrook (rest) out
[tipico]
Thunder at Lakers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 118, Thunder 114
Money line
PASS.
The Thunder (+180) is the only playable option, but I would rather take the points.
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Against the spread
LEAN to the THUNDER +5.5 (-108).
The Thunder are going to be starting a plethora of younger, high-ceiling players like F Isaiah Roby and F Jaylen Hoard. The Lakers will be in the same situation for the most part, potentially also getting F Stanley Johnson and C Dwight Howard some run.
Los Angeles is the more talented side and should come out on top, but given how it’s struggled as of late, especially defensively, there’s no reason to believe the Thunder won’t also top 110 points.
The Lakers rank 21st in defensive rating and 28th in net rating over their last five games. Chances are the motivation won’t be there and they’ll continue their downhill slide.
With that in mind, BACK the THUNDER +5.5 (-108).
Over/Under
BET on the OVER 227.5 (-108).
The Thunder don’t have the most playmaking as the bulk of their elite playmakers are on the bench, but the Lakers’ pace and inability to defend should help the two top the projected total.
The Lakers rank fourth in pace over the last five games (OKC ranks 14th in pace over that span), so they’re playing quick and without defense. LA is 8-3 O/U in its last 11 outings.
OKC is 5-4 O/U over its last nine contests.
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