Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers Odds, Analysis, NBA Betting Pick
The Oklahoma City Thunder (31-24) will look to avoid a letdown on Thursday when they visit the Los Angeles Lakers (22-31). The Thunder are coming off an emotional 125-105 rout of the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday as 10-point road underdogs when they broke a four-game losing skid.
Point spread: The Thunder opened as 5.5-point favorites; the total is at 216.5, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)
NBA betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 112.0-108.5, Thunder (NBA picks on every game)
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Why the Thunder can cover the spread
Oklahoma City did a lot right in its upset of Golden State, and the team is expected to have Carmelo Anthony back in the lineup after he left after just six minutes with an ankle injury. Anthony was not missed against the Warriors, though, as Paul George and Russell Westbrook combined to score 72 points, grab 14 rebounds and dish out 12 assists.
The young Lakers do not have anyone who can really match up with the Thunder's Big Three, giving the road team another advantage here.
Why the Lakers can cover the spread
Los Angeles is riding a three-game winning streak both straight up and against the spread. The Lakers have also won seven of their last nine and 11 of 15 SU and ATS going back even further, with the hot streak broken up by a pair of two-game losing streaks.
The Lakers seem to be coming together following the nine-game skid that preceded this positive stretch. Though Lonzo Ball has missed the last 11 games with a knee injury, as Los Angeles has gone 7-4 SU and ATS.
Smart betting pick
The Lakers somehow pulled off a 108-104 upset at Oklahoma City last Sunday as 9.5-point road underdogs after getting dominated in the first two meetings this season. The previous two games between the teams saw the Thunder roll to wins by an average of more than 30 points, including a 133-96 blowout victory at Staples Center on January 3.
Oklahoma City will be out to avenge the last loss and should be very confident off the big win over the Warriors. Bet on the Thunder to win and cover again.
NBA betting trends
Oklahoma City is 1-4 ATS in its last five games.
The total has gone under in four of Oklahoma City's last five games.
Los Angeles is 7-2 ATS in its last nine games.
All NBA odds and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.
