The Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers tipoff their double dip of back-to-back games Monday when OKC comes to the Staples Center to face the defending NBA champions.
The Lakers are riding a four-game winning streak, most recently squeaking out a 135-129 double-overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons but falling well short of the 14-point spread. The Thunder, meanwhile, are playing their third "back-to-back" matchup after splitting two-game sets with Houston and Minnesota.
Follow our NBA free picks and predictions for Thunder vs. Lakers on February 8.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
Injuries
Thunder: Mike Muscala PF (Questionable), Isaiah Roby SF (Questionable).
Lakers: Anthony Davis (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
The Under is 7-2 in the Lakers' last nine games. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Lakers.
NBA Sharp Money and Line Movement Report
By Patrick EversonLos Angeles opened as a 12-point favorite at FanDuel, dropped to -10 by mid-morning and this afternoon ticked to -10.5, where the line remains as of 7:30 p.m. ET. Point-spread action is two-way, with the Lakers taking 53 percent of bets and the Thunder getting 54 percent of money. The total bounced around a bit, from 217.5 to 218.5, then down to 216, and it's now up to 219, with 64 percent of bets/56 percent of money on the Over.
Check out the full line movement for this gameAgainst the Spread (ATS) Pick
Saturday’s matchup with the Pistons was a tough spot to lay the 14 points with Los Angeles. The Lakers were coming off a statement win over the Denver Nuggets and facing a non-conference foe that didn't pose much of a threat. It reeked of a letdown spot.
Complacency is something basketball bettors have to worry about when it comes to veteran contenders like the Lakers, especially when you consider the grueling path LeBron James & Co. took in the bubble and the limited offseason they received this fall.
LeBron has already bashed the league for trying to force an All-Star Game, stating he's got "zero energy" for it, and the Lakers will pick their rest spots throughout the schedule (including tonight's game, where they have announced Monday afternoon that Anthony Davis will not play), likely popping up during softer stretches in competition.
Los Angeles does have a habit of slowing down in the second half of games this year, at least on offense. The Lakers rank fourth in the NBA in first-half scoring at 58.6 points per opening half on the year. But in the final 24 minutes, L.A. has produced just 53 average points (24th) with a pace of 95.96 – third lowest in second halves this season.
It's not a bad metric (and L.A. gives up an NBA-low 51 second-half points because of it)... unless you're laying a pile of points and need the Lakers to bust open the scoreboard like a pinata. Los Angeles blew a 19-point lead to the Pistons on Saturday and mustered only 43 second-half points, including 18 in the fourth quarter.
With the upcoming calendar featuring red circles around a rematch with the Nuggets in Denver, as well as home dates versus the Nets and Heat, this back-to-back matchup with the Thunder could see the Lakers on cruise control at times.
PREDICTION: Oklahoma City +12 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
The Thunder are somewhat limited on offense, scoring a mere 107.5 points an outing. That said, Oklahoma City could be bringing a spaghetti noodle to a gunfight with two key offensive contributors questionable for Monday night.
Top reserve Mike Muscala is in concussion protocol after taking an elbow to the face in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s home win over Minnesota, a game that small forward Isaiah Roby sat out with a sore foot. The 120 points OKC posted in that game (on 51 percent shooting) was only the fourth time the team has scored 120 or more in regulation this season and it faces a much stiffer test defensively in L.A.
The Lakers allowed 106 points to Detroit in regulation Saturday, snapping a three-game run in which Los Angeles kept opponents under the century mark on the scoreboard. If not for the added frame versus the Pistons, L.A. would have posted its sixth straight Under decision. The Lakers have stayed below the total in seven of their last nine games and own a 7-17 Over/Under mark on the season.
PREDICTION: Under 217.5 (-110)
Player Prop Pick
New Laker and former OKC sixth man Dennis Schroder is coming off his best effort in the purple and gold, scoring 22 points with eight assists and four rebounds in the OT win over Detroit.
Schroder has been a great addition to the defending champs, chipping in with 14 points per game and providing some much-needed scoring at point guard, enjoying plenty of space with defenses collapsing on James and no Davis in the lineup.
The Thunder have struggled versus opposing guards, allowing an average of 77.4 points per game to the position—third-most in the NBA. Oklahoma City will throw everything at the Lakers' frontcourt stars, who could be more than happy to delegate offensive duties to L.A.'s role players.
We like a motivated Schroder to have a big day against his former club.
PREDICTION: Dennis Schroder Over 15.5 points (-119)
Thunder vs Lakers Betting Card
- Thunder +12 (-110)
- Under 217.5 (-110)
- Dennis Schroder Over 15.5 points (-119)
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