The Oklahoma City Thunder begin their 2019 campaign when they go on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.
The Thunder are currently the 3rd best team in the West at 23-13 while the Lakers are at #6 in the conference with their 21-16 record.
After going 4-22 from the field during the Thunder’s 103-105 loss to the Mavs in Dallas on Sunday, Russell Westbrook bounced back as promised. The 2017 NBA MVP recorded his 10th triple double of the season with a 32-11-11 statline as the Thunder buried the Mavericks 122-102 on New Year’s eve. With the win, the Thunder improved to 23-13 and second in the Northwest Division, one game behind the Western Conference leaders Denver Nuggets.
The Thunder are 4th in the league in scoring defense at 105.6 points per game allowed. They are also ranked 2nd in rebounding with their 48.4 average per game. Oklahoma City has 11th best offense in the NBA at 112.1 points scored per game and they are ranked 24th in assists at 22.4 per game.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers 1/2/19
Moneyline Odds: Thunder -210, Lakers +180
Odds from sportsbetting.ag as of 1/2/19
The Lakers got back at the Sacramento Kings in their most recent outing. Los Angeles blew a big lead and lost via a buzzer beating three pointer in Sacramento last Thursday but exacted revenge with a 121-114 win at Staples Center on Sunday night. The win was Los Angeles’ first in three games without LeBron James and was the first in 13 games for a LeBron James led-team who was previously 0-12 in their last dozen games played without the King.
Los Angeles is the 8th best scoring team in the NBA at 113.4 points per game. The Lakers rank 13th in assists at 24.5 dimes per contest while the Purple and Gold are 9th in rebounding at 46.4 boards per contest. The Lakers are ranked 20th in scoring defense at 111.4 points per game.
The Thunder are 2-3 SU in their last five games played. Oklahoma City is 10-9 SU on the road this season. The Lakers are also 2-3 SU in their last five games played. Los Angeles is 13-6 SU at home this season. Head to head, the Thunder are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
The Lakers are still without LeBron James and Rajon Rondo but Javale McGee has returned and should help the Lakers against the 2nd best rebounding team in the NBA. The Thunder have shown a lot of vulnerability despite playing with a complete line-up while the Lakers have played and shot better at home this season. The Lakers are a good bet with the plus money because they are playing at home but I’d like to play this one safe and go with the Thunder who will have the full roster on hand against the home team. I’m expecting Paul George to have a big night in his hometown.
We’re picking the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Los Angeles Lakers on 1/2/19.
Oklahoma City is 20-16 ATS this season and the Thunder are 10-9 ATS in 19 road games played so far. Los Angeles is 17-20 ATS on the season. The Lakers are 9-10 ATS in 19 home games played this year. Head to head, the Thunder are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers 1/2/19
Spread Odds: Thunder -5.5 (-105), Lakers +5.5 (-115)
Odds from sportsbetting.ag as of 1/2/19
The Lakers are at a huge handicap without LeBron James. And although we know guys like Kuzma and Ingram are going to step up, the Thunder have their full arsenal at their disposal. OKC is just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games at Staples Center but the Thunder are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 overall meetings with the Lakers. I’ll take a team with Russ and PG13 anytime over a team that’s playing without LeBron and Rondo.
Prediction: Thunder -5.5
The under is 19-15-2 in Oklahoma City’s 36 games played so far this season. The Thunder have seen the under hit 13-5-1 in their 19 road games played. The total has gone under in 22 out of the 37 games played by the Lakers this season. The under is 13-5-1 in Los Angeles’ 19 home games so far this season. Head to head, the under is 7-3 in the last 10 games between these two teams.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers 1/2/19
Over, Under Odds: Over 230 -110, Under 230 -110
Odds from sportsbetting.ag as of 1/2/19
OKC has the 4th best scoring defense in the league right now. In their last 10 games played, the total has reached 230 in only one game. For the Lakers, the total has reached 230 in two out of their last seven games played. The under is likewise 4-1 in the last five meetings between these two teams. I’m going with the under here.
Prediction: Under 230
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