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Los Angeles Lakers vs OKC Thunder Tips - Classy Lakers to edge out OKC
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers predictions for Tuesday’s NBA game
- Lakers sit second in the Western Conference
- Lakers have won their last four games
- Thunder have won seven away games
- Full match preview and predictions
Lakers (Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Tips
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder will play the first of two games on Tuesday. Despite the fact that the Lakers are the second best team in the NBA right now, they are vulnerable at the Staples Center where this match will take place, and where they have lost four times this season.
Oklahoma may be second from bottom of the Northwest Division, but they have won seven of their away games. Nevertheless, I’m picking the Lakers to win a hard fought match, mainly because of the talent in their team, and the fact that Oklahoma are hamstrung with injuries.
- Lakers are 6-4 at the Staples Center
- LeBron James and Anthony Davis could miss this game
- Oklahoma have won seven of 11 on the road
- Oklahoma have won 2 of their last three games
Head to Head
Historically the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers have met 254 times in the NBA regular season. The Lakers lead that head to head by 147 wins to 107 for Oklahoma.
Since the start of 2018, they have played each other 12 times, with the Lakers just ahead 7-5. However the Lakers have won four of their last five meetings, most recently a 128-99 thrashing of the Thunder in January 2021.
OKC Thunder Form
The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently lying 13th in the Western Conference with a record of 10 wins and 12 defeats.
Head Coach Mark Daigneault's team has been ravaged by injuries, and he is also in the process of rebuilding his squad.
The Thunder haven’t won their division since 2016, and their last conference title came back away in 2012.
Oklahoma have struggled to find any level of consistency this season. That said, they have won four of their last seven games including two of their last three, and last time out defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-118.
They have also been far better on the road than at home, and own a 7-4 away record.
Thunder Team News
Oklahoma’s best player by far this season has been young Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 31 points against Minnesota last week and averages 22 points per game.
Unfortunately vital players such as George Hill, Trevor Ariza and Theo Maledon remain sidelined through injury. However veteran Al Horford, 22-year old Hamidou Diallo and 6’8” center Isiah Robby can all ensure that the Lakers won’t have it all their own way.
Los Angeles Lakers Form
As recent results have continued to go their way, the Lakers are now second in the Western Conference behind the Utah Jazz, with 18 wins against six defeats for a win percentage of .750.
After recently playing second fiddle to city rivals the LA Clippers, the Lakers finally regained top-spot in the Pacific Division when the Clippers lost back-to-back games vs Boston and Sacramento.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have now won four straight games, most recently a tight match against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
The only concern for the Lakers is that their home form could be better. They have won six and lost four at the Staples Center. However their away record of 12 wins from 14 games is the best in the NBA this season.
Lakers Team News
The big news is that Lakers superstar LeBron James may miss this game due to injury. Also worrying for Lakers fans is that Anthony Davis, possibly the teams second most important player is also doubtful. Jared Dudley and Kostas Antetokounmpo are both definitely out of the game against Oklahoma.
However, the Lakers have other great players like Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma and Spanish veteran Marc Gasol to lead the line.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers FAQ
When is the Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers match taking place?
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers takes place at 14.00 AEDT on Tuesday, February 9.
Where can I watch an Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers live stream?
Our live streaming calendar shows you where you can watch an Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers live stream.
Verdict
The fact that the Lakers have been inconsistent at the Staples Center this season, and Oklahoma are a dangerous team on the road gives this game an element of danger. That said, the Lakers are really hitting their stride now, and increasingly looking capable of retaining the NBA championship they won so impressively last season.
The Lakers will win this game but Oklahoma will make it close. The Lakers average 114 pts per game, and concede 105 pts, so a combined point’s total of under 220.5 would seem a good bet. The Lakers to win by a margin of 6-10 pts would also look like solid wager.
The Lakers will win this game but Oklahoma will make it close. The Lakers average 114 pts per game, and concede 105 pts, so a combined point’s total of under 220.5 would seem a good bet. The Lakers to win by a margin of 6-10 pts would also look like solid wager.
