NBA Predictions: Are the Thunder giving up too many points vs. Lakers?

Lakers vs. Thunder Pick

Will the Oklahoma City Thunder cruise to a big win at home today when they host the Los Angeles Lakers at 2PM ET?

According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Thunder are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -10 points against the Lakers. The over/under total for the game is listed at 218.5 points. Oklahoma City has won nine of its last 10 meetings with the Lakers, including both meetings this season. Today’s game takes place from Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and will air live on ABC.

The Lakers ended a two-game skid on Friday when they picked up a 102-99 win at Brooklyn. Los Angeles is 2-2 on this current road trip. Los Angeles is now 20-31 overall, 8-17 on the road and 26-25 against the spread. The Lake Show is putting up 106.6 points per game this season while allowing 110.1 per game. Lonzo Ball will continue to be out with his knee injury and Brandon Ingram is dealing with a groin injury that has him questionable to suit up today. Ingram averages 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Kyle Kuzma is the team leader right now with 16 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

The Thunder have lost three straight coming into today, including a 114-100 loss to the Pelicans at home on Friday. OKC is now 30-23 overall, 19-8 at home and 22-31 against the spread. The Thunder are scoring 106.3 points per game this year while allowing 102.7 per contest. Russell Westbrook is averaging 25.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 10.3 assists per game this season for the Thunder while Paul George is adding 21.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

Bet on Lakers vs. Thunder

On paper, the Thunder are clearly the better team. The issue is the Thunder aren’t great at playing to their expectations. They have struggled all season at covering and are just 12-15 ATS at home this year. However, the Lakers are weakened right now with Ingram battling a groin injury. OKC already holds a 24-point home win over Los Angeles this season and I think we could see a similar result today. The public betting is currently unavailable for this game, but I like the Thunder to cover.

 

NBA DAILY PREDICTION: OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER -10