Thunder to Bring Down Hammer on Lakers
Lakers vs. Thunder Line
The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, and the Lakers vs Thunder line has them favored at -7.
The Josh Giddey controversy has taken away some of the positive spin for the Thunder, who have dropped consecutive games.
NBA betting odds aren’t giving the Lakers much hope at +7 despite winning well on Wednesday.
Lakers vs Thunder
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Which Lakers Team Turns Up?
The Lakers suffered a shocking 139-94 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, but they bounced back with a 133-107 win over Detroit.
The Lakers improved to 11-8 overall, so they’re well-placed with NBA standings 2023. However, they are 8-11 against the spread, so bettors haven’t been happy backing them consistently.
LeBron James is playing well, but playing consecutive games on the road can be difficult for the aging team.
The Lakers are a tricky team to back with just a 4-6 road record. The Lakers vs Thunder line suggests they’ll struggle to keep it close against the Thunder, the much younger and more exciting team.
It’s hard for bettors to know which Lakers team will turn up. They can be brilliant one day and terrible the next, so there could be trepidation with betting markets.
Thunder Covering Spreads
Despite losing consecutive games to the 76ers and Timberwolves, the Thunder are well-backed with the Lakers vs. Thunder line.
There is a sizable distraction with the Giddey drama, but he’s still playing, and if they are anywhere near their best, they should beat the Lakers handsomely.
We expect a lot of bettors to include them in NBA picks and parlays based on their recent wins over Chicago, Portland, and Golden State.
Beating the Warriors 130-123 in overtime was a huge victory, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 40. Teammate Chet Holgrem praised his leader on both sides of the ball.
“When one of your best offense players is one of your best defense players, it’s huge,” Holmgren said. “He really ignites us on both ends with his energy.”
They are 12-5 ATS, which is a terrific record. Much like last season, the Thunder are one of the best bets in the NBA.
Covering -7 lines isn’t easy, but bettors should trust the Thunder to come up with the goods.
Stick with the Stats
Betting statistics favor the Thunder to cover the spread, so we’re not backing against them.
Losing their last two games should ensure they come out with plenty of enthusiasm to get their season back on track.
Given their advantage with ATS stats, they should get it done against the Lakers, who could rest either James or Anthony Davis, based on their history.
It could be a high-scoring contest, so the over is of interest. The Lakers come off a big scoring performance, and the Thunder scored 134 and 130 points last week, so they’re capable of putting up big totals.
