Can you feel it? An upset might be brewing over at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Lakers welcome Oklahoma City to their home in a thrilling Western Conference matchup. The Thunder have already beaten the Lakers twice this season, both by big blowouts.
Will Oklahoma City’s success against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers continue? Or will their dominance have them sleeping on their opponents? Read on as we take a look at this primetime hoops action. If you’re looking for more NBA action, then check out our complete previews for the Warriors vs. Blazers and Hornets vs. Clippers.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles
When: Friday, January 8, 10:30 PM ET
Line: Oklahoma City Thunder (-14) at Los Angeles Lakers (+14); total 209.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder (25-11)
Kevin Durant is back after a one-game absence and he couldn’t have made a bigger splash against the Memphis Grizzlies. Durant started slow, but ultimately turned up the heat on Memphis to finish with 26 points and a season-high 17 rebounds. Having him back will be a big boost for Oklahoma City, taking on the Lakers for the third time this season.
[sc:NBA250 ]Durant has averaged 21.5 points and 7.5 rebounds through the first two games against the Lakers. He filled up the stat sheet on December 23, putting on 21 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three blocks in Los Angeles. Durant may have an even bigger game if point guard Russell Westbrook can keep up his solid playmaking. Westbrook is averaging 9.6 assists per game in the last five contests.
Westbrook is also a solid scorer in his own right. He’s scoring 23.2 points per game in his last five outings. Westbrook also went unshackled for 23 points in his last outing in Staples Center on December 23.
The frontcourt should also be solid against the Lakers. Serge Ibaka and Enes Kanter have been pretty solid against the Lakers. Ibaka is scoring 14.5 points against the Lakers this season, while Kanter is averaging 17.5 points while hauling in 12.5 rebounds per game.
The Thunder are 4-2 ATS in their last six on the road.
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers (8-29)
Kobe Bryant had quite a finale in Sacramento last night. He had a team-high 28 points as he shot 10-of-18. But his efforts were not enough to help the Lakers, who lost 118-115 before heading back home tonight.
Bryant may be good to go in the second half of a back-to-back. He was on the bench for most of the time the Lakers rallied from 27 points down to a close three-point loss. Rookie DeAngelo Russell and second-year guard Jordan Clarkson were the catalysts for the Lakers’ comeback effort.
Russell scored 11 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter before exiting the game due to injury. Clarkson scored 12 of his 15 points in the final frame, but also lost a turnover which had the Lakers trailing by three with six seconds left in the game. Lou Williams also had a solid outing with 20 points.
Of the three, Clarkson and Williams should remain hot in this game against Oklahoma City. They’ve been solid through the Lakers’ last five games. Clarkson is averaging 18.6 points per game, while Williams is scoring 20.6 over that span. Russell could add some depth off the bench after scoring 18 points in his last outing against Oklahoma City, but most of his production came in garbage time of a 120-85 blowout on December 23.
The Lakers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
Writer’s Prediction
Oklahoma City blow out their hosts early. But the Lakers (+14) rally for a backdoor cover. Create a betting account now and end your week with some basketball action.
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