January 15, 2024; Los Angeles, California, United States; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is stopped by Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
- The Los Angeles Lakers host the OKC Thunder, leader of the West, on Monday evening.
- Oklahoma City is coming off a 118-110 win at Phoenix last night while the Lakers lost to Denver on Saturday.
- See Thunder vs Lakers props, odds and player predictions for March 4
After picking up a win in Phoenix last night, the Western Conference leader OKC Thunder (42-18, 18-12 away, 38-21-1 ATS) is back in action Monday evening, visiting the Los Angeles Lakers (33-29). , 21-10 at home, 28-35-0 ATS) on crypto.com Arena at 7:40 p.m. PT/10:40 p.m. ET.
After a 124-114 home loss to Denver on Saturday, the Lakers are slight one-point underdogs to the visiting Thunder.
OKC Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers Odds
| Team | Spread | Money line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| OKC Thunder | -1 (-108) | -112 | Over 238 (-110) |
| the Los Angeles Lakers | +1 (-112) | -104 | Under 238 (-110) |
Moneyline Thunder vs. Lakers odds are almost a pick, with OKC at -112 to win and Los Angeles at -104 on Monday. NBA Odds. The total of 238 games is the second highest among Monday’s six games. (Washington vs. Utah is 240.5.)
Odds as of March 4 on FanDuel. Download the FanDuel app in North Carolina.
Last night’s win in Phoenix, coupled with Minnesota’s loss to the Clippers earlier in the day, put OKC a half-game ahead of the T-Wolves and Nuggets at the top of the standings. the Western Conference. If the NBA playoff bracket was cemented today, the Lakers would be the No. 10 seed and would need to win two straight road games just to advance to the first round.
Lakers’ up-and-down play continues
The Lakers have been one of the most inconsistent teams all season, and that trend has continued after the All-Star break. The Lakers are 3-3 since the break with wins against the Spurs (123-113), Clippers (116-112) and Wizards (134-131 OT), and losses against the Warriors (128-110), the Suns, (123-113) and Nuggets (124-114).
Saturday’s loss to the Nuggets was an example that slipped by. Los Angeles led by eight at halftime before Denver dominated the second half 66-48.
The Los Angeles starters continued to carry a monstrous load. All five played at least 30 minutes, with four of five playing 37 minutes or more. The Lakers are currently fifth and last in the NBA scoring just 30.7 PPG.
Worse yet, LeBron James (25.3 PPG, 7.9 APG, 7.0 RPG) and Anthony Davis (25.0 PPG, 12.3 RPG) landed on Monday’s injury report. James is questionable with left ankle peroneal tendinopathy. Davis is likely with a sore Achilles.
Gabe Vincent (knee) and Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) both remain out.
Thunder scores hard-fought victory against Suns
OKC’s 118-110 win at Phoenix last night as a 4.5-point favorite on the road was a great bounce-back game after the Thunder fell 132-118 at San Antonio (as a two-point favorite figures) Thursday evening. Second favorite of the NBA MVP OddsShai Gilgeous-Alexander once again led the way against the Suns, with 35 points on 15-of-27 shooting plus nine assists, eight rebounds, three steals and three blocks.
The Thunder have been competent in back-to-back second halves this season. They are 7-3 in a row with wins against Detroit, Portland (twice), New York, San Antonio, Sacramento and Washington, as well as losses against Atlanta, the LA Clippers and Minnesota.
They are currently one of only two teams to rank in the top five in O rating (119.3, third) and D rating (111.4, fourth). They are just behind the NBA-leading Celtics in net rating at +8.0.
The Lakers, by comparison, are 19th in net rating (-0.6), 17th in O rating (114.7) and 17th in D rating (115.3).
OKC vs LAL Player Accessories
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Aids | Three pointers made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Davis (LAL) | 25.5 (Ov -130 | Un -100) | 13.5 (Ov -130 | Un -100) | 2.5 (Ov -166 | A +130) | 0.5 (Ov +175 | Un-230) |
| Austin Reaves (LAL) | 14.5 (Ov -105 | A -125) | 3.5 (Ov -160 | A +124) | 5.5 (Ov -115 | A -115) | 1.5 (Ov -135 | A +105) |
| Chet Holmgren (OKC) | 16.5 (Ov -115 | A -115) | 8.5 (Ov -130 | Un -100) | 2.5 (Ov -115 | A -115) | 1.5 (Ov -125 | A -105) |
| D’Angelo Russell (LAL) | 17.5 (Ov -120 | A -110) | 3.5 (Ov +124 | Un -160) | 5.5 (Ov -135 | A -105) | 2.5 (Ov -150 | Un +120) |
| Jalen Williams (OKC) | 20.5 (Ov -110 | Oun -120) | 4.5 (Ov -100 | Un -130) | 4.5 (Ov -145 | A +114) | 1.5 (Ov -115 | A -115) |
| Josh Giddey (OKC) | 9.5 (Ov -100 | Un -130) | 5.5 (Ov -105 | A -125) | 3.5 (Ov +105 | Un -135) | 0.5 (Ov -160 | Un +124) |
| LeBron James (LAL) | 25.5 (Ov -115 | A -115) | 6.5 (Ov -160 | A +124) | 7.5 (Ov -130 | Un -100) | 2.5 (Ov +150 | Un -195) |
| Luguentz Dort (OKC) | 10.5 (Ov -105 | A -125) | 3.5 (Ov -150 | Un +120) | DISABLED | 1.5 (Ov -166 | A +130) |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) | 31.5 (Ov -115 | A -115) | 5.5 (Ov -125 | A -105) | 6.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110) | 1.5 (Ov +114 | One -145) |
Player props as of March 4 at DraftKings. Click here to claim the DraftKings North Carolina Promotion.
With 31.5 O/U, SGA leads in points total, as it does most nights it is in action these days. LeBron and Davis are both rated at 25.5 for the Lakers, while AD has a monstrous rebound total of 13.5.
Thunder vs Lakers Prediction
I had the Thunder faded last night when the line was six against the Suns, while the closing value was solid (the line closed at 4.5), the Suns didn’t have enough in the tank over its entire length. This game was just the latest in a litany of impressive performances from OKC, which is tied for fourth in the league’s road wins (18) this season.
Fatigue is a concern, but OKC has a significantly deeper bench than the Lakers. Ten different players average at least 14.4 minutes per game.
OKC vs. LAL pick: Thunder moneyline (-112)
Sascha Paruk’s 2023-24 NBA Betting Record:
- 17-21 moneyline (+4.06 units)
- 16-16-2 ATS (-0.32 units)
- Accessories for 7 to 12 players (-6.82 units)
- 0-3 parlay in the same game (-3.00 units)
All bets are one unit unless expressly stated otherwise
