Lakers vs. Thunder: Why Oklahoma City Will Win Game 4

Oklahoma City will return home with a 3-to-1 advantage over the Los Angeles Lakers after they win Game 4 Saturday night in Los Angeles.

Here is why Oklahoma City has what it takes to win Game 4.

Great Road Team

Some teams are great at home and awful on the road. The Lakers can attest to this notion.

However, Oklahoma City was great in both areas. They dominated at home and recorded one of the best road records (21-12) in the NBA.

Although teams struggled on the road during this shortened season, Oklahoma City knew how to get it done on the road.

Back-to-back favors Oklahoma City

Logically, if you say that two teams are playing in a back-to-back situation after a grueling, shortened campaign, the younger team would have the advantage, right?

That's exactly what I'm saying.

Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and James Harden are all in their early 20s.

Advantage Thunder.

Los Angeles, and especially Kobe Bryant, are at a disadvantage. The Lakers shot 42 free throws in Game 3, but those numbers won't even be close in Game 4. Tired legs call for more jumpers, and more jumpers equals less free throw attempts and less quality looks.

Advantage Thunder.

Better team

Los Angeles—despite having Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum—are gaining more respect than I think they deserve. It's not that they are overrated, but I just don't believe that they are in the same class as Oklahoma City this season.

Bryant is on the downside of his career, you can't trust Bynum in any game, Mike Brown is in his first year with the club, the team has chemistry issues, the back-court problems have been there all season and Los Angeles can't defend against guards who can penetrate the lane.

Oklahoma City matches up well with Los Angeles, and I think Game 3 is the only contest that won't go the Thunder's way.

Prediction

Oklahoma City defeats Los Angeles 104-101.