Oklahoma City Thunder (26-11) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (19-20)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers January 15, 2024 – As the NBA season heats up, we anticipate an exhilarating showdown between Oklahoma City Thunder, boasting an impressive 26-11 record, and Los Angeles Lakers who boast an inconsistent 19-20 mark. Set for January 15th at crypto.com Arena – this matchup marks an essential turning point in this season and should make for exciting viewing on NBA TV! Don’t miss this unforgettable battle for USA sportsbook action!
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers January 15, 2024 Game Info
| When: | Monday, January 15 at 10:30 PM ET |
| Where: | crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles |
| TV: | NBA TV |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG) vs. Austin Reaves (SG)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the dynamic point guard for Oklahoma City Thunder, has had an extraordinary season so far. Averaging 31.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game he has proven himself an unstoppable force on the court; with agility and scoring abilities making him an ever present threat while 2 turnovers per game show that there remains some flaw in his ball handling capabilities.
Austin Reaves has proven himself an essential member of the Lakers since joining them last season. Playing as a shooting guard, Reaves has amassed 15.1 points per game while adding 4.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists. While his shooting prowess and court vision are impressive, his defensive efforts tend to be less aggressive; evident by only having recorded 0.1 blocks per game.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Reaves often go head-to-head, pitting offensive dominance from one against strategic playmaking from the other. While both possess the ability to alter the course of a game, but Gilgeous-Alexander might make more of an impressionful statement on the court with her scoring.
Thunder’s Offensive Firepower Enhanced
Oklahoma City Thunder have combined efficiency and explosive scoring this season, leading their league with 122.8 points per game on average due to both exceptional scoring ability and their impressive 50.9% field goal percentage. One key to their offensive success lies in their 3-point shooting ability; hitting 13.2 average 3-point field goals per game at an astounding 39.7% success rate to stretch defenses and create opportunities for dynamic plays. Thunder’s offensive rebounding (8.1 per game) also plays an essential role in their success, providing additional scoring opportunities and keeping opponents under constant pressure. When combined with high scoring numbers, efficient shooting capabilities, and effective rebounding abilities – these elements create a formidable offensive weapon for Thunder.
Lakers’ Balanced Approach Explored
This season, the Los Angeles Lakers’ strategy has been marked by an integrated approach combining strong offensive play with solid defensive support. At an average of 113.8 points per game, their offense is highly effective with a 48.6% field goal percentage; however, defensive play often forms the foundation of their game strategy. The Laker defense excels at defensive rebounding, averaging 34.7 per game to limit second-chance points while providing their opponents with quick transition into offense. Your 3-point shooting, while not at Oklahoma City Thunder’s 35.6% mark, still brings tremendous value to their game plan and allows them to adapt to various play styles without becoming predictable against teams that lean heavily on either offense or defense. Maintaining this equilibrium against Oklahoma City’s high-octane offense will be essential.
NBA Betting Odds: TBD, Over/Under: TBD
Betting odds have yet to be set, but given Oklahoma City Thunder’s impressive track record they could emerge as favorites. The over/under will likely depend on their high scoring nature versus Lakers ability to counter it.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends
The Thunder are 3-2 in their last 5 games.
They are 2-3 against the spread in these games.
Impressively, they are 10-6 in road games against the spread.
The totals have gone OVER in 4 of their last 5 games.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends
The Lakers are 2-3 in their last 5 games.
They’ve struggled against the spread, going 1-4.
In road games against the spread, they are 8-11.
The totals have gone OVER in 2 of their last 5 games.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Picks
By trend and stat, Oklahoma City Thunder appears to have an edge in this matchup. Their offensive prowess and consistent performance against the spread, particularly on road games, make them a reliable pick. Meanwhile, Lakers seem unable to maintain consistent defense against high-scoring teams like Oklahoma City.
As NBA free picks for today, I would choose the Thunder as my straight win pick. When it comes to over/under betting, opting for an “over” bet seems sensible given both teams’ tendencies towards high scoring matches.
Receiving Yards Prop: Oklahoma City Thunder 118, Los Angeles Lakers 110.
