The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet.
This will be a clash between two teams that are very hot and peaking at the right time of the year. The Lakers have won 16 of their last 18 games and are in third place in the Western Conference with a 50-26 record, while the Thunder, the defending NBA champions, have won 18 of their last 20 contests and are on top of the West standings.
Los Angeles defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 127-113, on Tuesday, capping off a tremendous month of March. Luka Doncic ended the month with averages of 37.5 points, eight rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.3 steals per game.
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
Lakers vs Thunder injury reports
Lakers: Marcus Smart (right ankle contusion) is out.
Thunder: Alex Caruso (illness) is questionable. Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) is out.
Advice and Prediction:
This will be the Lakers’ biggest test thus far this season. They lost their two previous meetings to the Thunder, but LeBron James didn’t play in the first meeting, while Luka Doncic was out of action during the second matchup. Other than veteran L.A. guard Marcus Smart and possibly Alex Caruso of the Thunder, both teams will be relatively healthy for Thursday’s game.
There is no doubt that the Thunder are juggernauts, and while there may be some small cracks in their armor, they remain the consensus best team in basketball. They rank first in defensive rating, points off turnovers per game and fast-break points per game allowed, as well as third in opponents’ turnover percentage. Their defense is simply suffocating, and their roster is stacked with men who not only defend at a high level but also contribute on the other end of the court.
Oklahoma City might be underrated on offense, where it ranks fifth in points per game and eighth in offensive rating. While it is only 23rd in fast-break points a game, it can get out and play racehorse basketball when it wants to. The team seems to prefer keeping the score around 110 points, but it also has no trouble winning when the score bursts into the 130s.
The Lakers will need to make reigning MVP and scoring champion Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deal with multiple defenders and limit his trips to the free throw line. On offense, they will need solid contributions from multiple role players, particularly Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard and Deandre Ayton.
This is a game L.A. can win, but a victory doesn’t seem likely.
Prediction: Thunder 115, Lakers 109
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Prediction and betting odds for Lakers vs. Thunder
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
