The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at Paycom Center. Tip-off is set for 8:00PM ET. Oklahoma City leads the Western Conference at 64-14, while the Lakers sit in third at 48-30. These teams just played on Sunday, with the Lakers winning 126-99 on the road.
The Thunder had already clinched the No. 1 seed but have now lost two in a row. The Lakers are still fighting for playoff seeding and showed strong urgency in the last meeting. This is the sixth matchup of the season, with the Lakers holding a 3-2 edge so far.
OKC Preview – Looking to Regain Focus Before the Playoffs
The Thunder have the best record in the NBA and are 34-6 at home. They rank second in the league in points allowed at just 107.3 per game and lead the NBA in field goal defense at 43.6%. Despite the loss Sunday, Oklahoma City has won 11 of its last 13 overall.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points in the loss and leads the team in scoring and assists. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren help spread the floor, while Isaiah Hartenstein adds rebounding and rim protection. Oklahoma City forces more turnovers than any other team and allows the fewest assists per game.
The Thunder also have strong betting trends, covering the spread in 59 of their last 93 games. They are 29-8 at home against the spread and have cashed the over in 32 of their last 51 games. A win on Tuesday would give the franchise a new record for most wins in a season.
LAL Preview – Big Three Heating Up at the Right Time
The Lakers beat the Thunder by 27 on Sunday, hitting a season-high 22 threes. Luka Doncic led the way with 30 points, while Austin Reaves added 20. LeBron James finished with 19 points and seven assists, helping guide the offense from the start.
Since the trade for Doncic, the Lakers have shifted to a more perimeter-heavy style. They rank second in free throw attempts per game and are top 10 in field goal percentage. They don’t shoot as many threes as most teams, but they hit timely ones and score 113.4 points per game overall.
On defense, the Lakers are average in most categories but rely on timely stops and experience. The team is 30-10 at home but just 18-20 on the road. They’ve covered the spread in 35 of their last 56 games and are one of the league’s best in first quarter performance against the spread.
Betting Prediction
The Thunder are favored by 13.5 points, but that number is big considering the recent blowout loss. Oklahoma City has nothing to gain in the standings, while the Lakers are still battling for playoff seeding. If the Lakers’ top three are active, they have the edge with momentum.
Oklahoma City may respond at home, but the Lakers are playing sharper. A final score around Lakers 115, Thunder 110 could be in play. The under may also be worth a look, with five of the last ten meetings staying under the total.
Pick: Los Angeles Lakers +13.5 over Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.
Enjoy the game and best of luck!
