NBA Odds: Lakers (even)
The Oklahoma City Thunder head to the Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Lakers. The game starts at 6:30 pm ET on Sunday, Mar. 1 and will air on ESPN.
The Lakers were victorious over the Bucks 101-93 on Friday. Jordan Clarkson led all scorers with 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting. The Thunder, meanwhile, are coming off a bitter 115-112 loss to the Trail Blazers on Friday. Russell Westbrook put up an unbelievable effort, recording a triple-double with 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Over the last five games, Westbrook and Serge Ibaka have been on a tear for the Thunder. During that stretch, Westbrook has averaged 30.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 11.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 three-pointers. Not to be outdone, Ibaka has put up 17.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 3.8 blocks.
The stingy Thunder defense should have a clear edge in terms of effective field goal percentage. They rank third in the league in forcing misses (opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 47.6%), while the brick-laying Lakers offense is 26th with a mark of 47.3%.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Thunder won the first game 104-103. Westbrook played a huge role in the victory by recording a double-double with 31 points and 10 assists.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Lakers enter the game with records of 15-41-1 Straight Up (SU) and 25-29-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They have gone 7-29 SU and 15-19-2 ATS against teams from the Western Conference. Los Angeles has averaged 89.2 points per game over the last ten weeks, lower than its season average of 99.6. Los Angeles has given up very few turnovers with only an average of 12.5 per game.
On the other side, Oklahoma City has a SU record of 32-27 and an ATS record of 29-28-2. Oklahoma City has done particularly well ATS over its past ten matchups, going 8-2. During the last 10 games, they averaged PPG, above their 101.7 PPG season average. Oklahoma City is the best rebounding teams in the NBA. The Thunder average a league-leading 47.4 rebounds per game. Oklahoma City’s defense is one of the top in the league, with opponents shooting only .428 from the field. The Thunder have established a reputation of cleaning up the defensive glass with an NBA-best 35.1 defensive rebounds per game.
Oklahoma City won the last meeting this season between these two teams, bringing its SU record in the past 10 games to 8-2. The teams have an even record ATS, 5-5. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Los Angeles and Oklahoma City each held the edge in all three of these categories twice in the last 10 meetings.
Predictions: SU Winner – OKC, ATS Winner – OKC
Notes
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games.
LA Lakers are 4-16 SU in their last 20 games.
LA Lakers are 6-13-1 ATS in their last 20 games.
LA Lakers are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City.
LA Lakers are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City.
LA Lakers are 15-6 SU in their last 21 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City.
LA Lakers are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City.
On average, Oklahoma City puts up 101.7 points per game (ranked 10th). Los Angeles ranks 30th in points allowed per game with 106.0.
Oklahoma City puts up an average of 99.7 points per away game (ranked 12th). Los Angeles ranks 30th in points allowed per home game with 104.9.
In contests where it has given up fewer than 100 points, Los Angeles has a 9-10 record. When Oklahoma City scores fewer than 100, it is a subpar 6-18.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Lakers are just 7-31 this season. Oklahoma City is a winning 26-9 when it reaches the century mark.
The Lakers have an offensive rating of 101.1 (ranked 20th). The Thunder rank ninth for their defensive rating of 100.5.
With 98.5 possessions and 1.011 points per possession, the Los Angeles Lakers perform worse on both metrics than the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oklahoma City averages 98.5 possessions and 1.032 points per possession.
The Oklahoma City Thunder average an effective field goal percentage of 48.7% this season. The Los Angeles Lakers have an abysmal record of 7-30 when opponents have an EFF% of 48.7% or greater.
On average, the Los Angeles Lakers make 20.6 assists per game and the Oklahoma City Thunder make 20.6. Los Angeles is ranked 22nd, while Oklahoma City is ranked 23rd.
Los Angeles makes an average of 4.5 blocks per game (ranked 19th). Oklahoma City ranks higher in blocks with 6.0 (ranked second).
The Lakers rank eighth in offensive rebounds, and the Thunder rank first in the league in defensive rebounds.
On average, Oklahoma City makes 7.2 steals per game. Los Angeles is a subpar 9-26 when it gives up at least 7 steals.
