The Oklahoma City Thunder (24-20) go head-to-head against the Los Angeles Lakers (15-28) at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game will air on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Prediction
The Lakers are hoping for a better outcome after their 123-114 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in their last contest. Memphis was effective at getting and making free throws. The Grizzlies made 29 of their 34 free throws (85.3 percent), while the Lakers were 26-31 (83.9 percent). Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points on 8-for-16 shooting.
The last time the Thunder played, they beat the Sacramento Kings, 95-88. Oklahoma City out-rebounded Sacramento. The Thunder had more offensive rebounds (18 vs. six), defensive rebounds (40 vs. 31) and total rebounds (58 vs. 37). With 19 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook had a solid game.
Oklahoma City should have an edge on the offensive glass in this battle. The Thunder currently rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (27.4 percent), while Los Angeles ranks 13th in defensive rebounding percentage (77.9 percent). Also, the Lakers’ 29th-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 101.6) will face a difficult challenge against the Thunder’s fourth-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 103.7).
Los Angeles comes into the contest with records of 15-28 straight up (SU) and 21-22 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the total of Lakers games, with 23 overs compared to 20 unders.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City is 24-20 SU and 16-27-1 ATS. Of the Thunder’s 44 games, 26 have finished under the O/U total.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Westbrook put up 20 points, 12 assists and six rebounds in the first matchup, in which the Thunder defeated the Lakers 133-96, covering as 5.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 229 points, which was 14.5 points above the projected point total of 214.5 points. The Thunder’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Lakers. Oklahoma City had a rate of 8.5, while Los Angeles posted a mark of 14.7.
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Los Angeles is 10-10 ATS on the road with 10 overs and 10 unders.
At home, Oklahoma City is 8-13-1 ATS with 13 unders and 9 overs.
Los Angeles is 7-3 when they allow below 100 points, while Oklahoma City is 16-5.
The Lakers are 13-16 when they score over 100 points, while the Thunder are 20-9.
Oklahoma City ranks third in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.2) while Los Angeles ranks last (19.8).
The Thunder average 14.4 second chance points per game, which ranks second in the NBA. The Lakers rank 29th in second chance points allowed per game (14.1).
Oklahoma City ranks fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (41.5) while Los Angeles ranks 28th (49.2).
The Thunder rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.5) while the Lakers rank 26th (45.4).
Los Angeles ranks sixth in assists per game (23.5) while Oklahoma City ranks 26th (20.8).
The Thunder rank ninth in blocks allowed per game (4.5) while the Lakers rank 28th (5.8).
Oklahoma City averages 9.4 steals per game, which ranks first in the league. Los Angeles ranks 19th in steals allowed per game (8.3).
The Thunder average 14.2 fast break points per game, which ranks fourth in the league. The Lakers rank 20th in fast break points allowed per game (12.2).
Oklahoma City ranks 16th in three pointers attempted per game (28.8) while Los Angeles ranks 21st in three pointers allowed per game (29.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Oklahoma City is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Lakers have outscored opponents by an average of 8.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Los Angeles has lost by an average of 3.8 points.
During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 98.0 points per game (6.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 102.8 points per game (1.8 above their season average).
