The Lakers aren't playing like a team that's worried about the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the West, on a 1-2 SU/ATS run. They are focused more on getting healthy. The Lakers are on a 6-15 ATS run, 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games playing on one day of rest and 2-11 ATS in their last 13 home games. They take on an Oklahoma City team that needs to win, a half-game behind San Antonio for the top seed in the West. They are No. 3 in the NBA in points scored, No. 6 in rebounds, with great depth and flexibility, plus 8-2 ATS in their last 10 vs. the NBA Pacific Division. The Thunder is also 41-19-1 ATS in their last 61 games as a road favorite of -0.5 to -4.5. The L.A. Lakers have been torched by the younger Thunder the last two meetings, losing 102-93 and 100-85, and the favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings. Play the Oklahoma City Thunder. In addition, this will be more of a defensive, low-scoring game than oddsmakers expect. The last two meetings went UNDER by 4 and 10 points. LA has been great defensively all season under first-year coach Mike Brown, who demands defense and likes a slower pace. The UNDER is 4-1 in the Lakers’ last five games as a home underdog. And with rebounders and shot blockers like Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City can play defense too, on a 5-1 run UNDER the total and 4-1 UNDER in the Thunder's last five road games. When these teams meet the UNDER is 5-1 the last six meetings. Play on Oklahoma City and take the UNDER.
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