Los Angeles at Oklahoma City

The LA Lakers were challenged considerably by the Denver Nuggets. After leading their series three games to one, they were forced to a decisive game seven. They blew a big lead and rallied back late to get to round two, where they face the Oklahoma City Thunder. Controversy has already spilled its way into this series as Metta World Peace has already declared he won't shake hands with James Harden who he elbowed, leading to a suspension, claiming he doesn't shake substitutes hands. That may be the type of bulletin board fodder to elevate Oklahoma City, a much better team than the Lakers, into being even more focused in game one. Oklahoma City was young last year in the playoffs, but are a better and more mature team this time around. Defense is going to rule the court for them early here. The Lakers were a bad road team this season and, when playing on one day rest, they have been 6-16 ATS in their last 22 as well as 0-6 ATS following a win in their last six. They have been able to control the tempo as a road dog where they are 6-2 to the UNDER in their last eight and I expect them to do just that early to keep the crowd out and not allow Westbrook and Durant to get off early. These teams have avoided the explosive offenses of each other playing the  last ten here UNDER and look for them to establish that early here. Play on Oklahoma City and the first half UNDER.