Expect a fast-paced game when the Oklahoma City Thunder (23-13), 6-point favorites, head to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers (21-16). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 230 points and it can be seen on ESPN at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds
Both teams covered as favorites in their last game. The Lakers (2-point favorites) defeated the Sacramento Kings 121-114, while the Thunder (7.5-point favorites) beat the Dallas Mavericks 122-102. The Los Angeles game finished 2 points over the projected point total of 233, while the Oklahoma City game hit the projected point total of 224.
The Thunder forced 26 turnovers and held the Mavericks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 12.5 (below their season average of 23.9). The Lakers, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.0 (above their season average of 21.7), while the Kings had a free throw rate of 0.095 (below their season average of 0.178). Los Angeles rallied around Brandon Ingram, who finished with 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook led the way for Oklahoma City with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists to record his ninth triple-double of the year.
This series was highly contested last year. Each won two of the four games played against each other last season. The Lakers won the last matchup 106-81. The Lakers’ 7.3 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Thunder, who had a mark of 11.7. This is the first time these teams will battle this year.
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Thunder games, with 19 unders compared to 16 overs. Oklahoma City holds records of 23-13 straight up (SU) and 20-16 against the spread (ATS).
Games including the Lakers have a tendency to finish under the total (59.5 percent). Moreover, Los Angeles is 21-16 SU and 16-20-1 ATS.
Ingram has taken his game to another level as of late for Los Angeles, averaging 18 points over the last five games.
There should be plenty of transition action in this meeting that showcases a pair of the league’s more up-tempo teams. Los Angeles currently ranks third in possessions per game (105.9) and Oklahoma City is fourth (105.6).
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Oklahoma City averages 53.8 points in the paint per game, which ranks third in the league. Los Angeles ranks 25th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.6).
- The Thunder average 10.6 steals per game, which ranks first in the NBA. The Lakers rank 19th in steals allowed per game (8.2).
- Oklahoma City ranks fourth in second chance points per game (15.2) while Los Angeles ranks 16th (12.9).
- Oklahoma City averages 5.583333333333333 blocks per game, which ranks 7 in the league. Los Angeles ranks 16 in blocks allowed per game (5.1891891891891895).
- The Thunder rank first in points off turnovers per game (21.3) while the Lakers rank 21st in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.7).
- The Thunder rank 6 in fast break points per game (17.444444444444443) while the Lakers rank 17 in fast break points allowed per game (13.64864864864865).
- Oklahoma City averages 48.4 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (46.2).
- In games where they allow below 100 points, Oklahoma City and Los Angeles are both 6-0.
- When reaching 100 points, the Thunder are 21-8 and the Lakers are 20-14.
- Oklahoma City is 10-9 ATS on the road, while Los Angeles is 8-10-1 ATS at home.
- Of the Thunder’s 19 road games, they have 13 unders and 6 overs.
- The Lakers have 13 unders and 6 overs in 19 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Lakers are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Thunder are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Los Angeles has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Oklahoma City has 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push.
- The Lakers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.6, up from 1.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 112.8 points per game (0.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 107.2 points per game (1.6 above their season average).
