The Los Angeles Lakers hit the road tonight for a difficult matchup with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder.
With L.A.’s injury report looking stacked, I’m eyeing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to have a monster performance in my Lakers vs. Thunder predictions.
Find out more in my NBA picks for Tuesday, April 8.
Lakers vs Thunder prediction
My best bet: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 31.5 points (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
To say Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having a solid campaign would be an understatement. The superstar continues to prove why he should be the MVP frontrunner, averaging a league-best 32.6 points. The Canadian has cashed Over 31.5 points in four of his last seven contests.
While Gilgeous-Alexander has only finished with 26 and 22 points across his previous two outings, that’s very unlike him. The reality is that it’s rare for SGA to finish with fewer than 30 points in a game. He’s truly that consistent.
The Los Angeles Lakers hammered the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, and Gilgeous-Alexander had 26. However, Los Angeles is likely to sit both LeBron James and Luka Doncic here for the front end of a back-to-back. Also, Austin Reaves is questionable as well.
Could SGA dominate even with L.A.’s roster at full strength? Absolutely. But, with the visitors missing key guys, it does open up an opportunity for Gilgeous-Alexander to show out even more. He’s averaging 31 ppg this season against the Lakers, and he’s also averaging 33.2 points at home compared to 31.9 on the road.
The standout guard will do his thing tonight.
Lakers vs Thunder same-game parlay
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 31.5 points
Jalen Williams Over 19.5 points
Isaiah Hartenstein Under 8.5 rebounds
SGA is undoubtedly the driving force behind OKC’s success, but it takes a whole team to be this good. Jalen Williams serves as one of their best players as well. The Santa Clara product is averaging a career-best 21.4 ppg in 67 contests in 2024-25.
Williams has hit Over 19.5 points in four of his last six appearances, even going off for 33 on April 4 against the Houston Rockets. He’s averaging 24 points per game so far in April and while he did score only 16 in the loss to the Lakers over the weekend, Williams should also benefit from L.A.’s depleted squad here.
Isaiah Hartenstein has been all the Thunder could’ve wanted in his first season with the team. He’s a productive scorer, rebounder, and playmaker. We’ll focus on his impact on the glass here. The big man is averaging 10.6 boards per contest, but he’s hit the Under in rebounds in five straight games.
Hartenstein had just six rebounds against the Lakers a couple of days ago and Los Angeles is top 10 in the Association in fewest rebounds allowed. I’ll take the Under again and follow the trends for Hartenstein here.
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Lakers vs Thunder odds
Lakers vs Thunder live odds
Lakers vs Thunder opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles +15 (-110) | Oklahoma City -15 (-110)
- Moneyline: Los Angeles +700 | Oklahoma City -1100
- Over/Under: Over 226 (-110) | Under 226 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Lakers vs Thunder spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Thunder are a heavy 14-point favorite against the depleted Lakers.
- OKC is 26-12-2 as a home ATS favorite.
- The Under has cashed in four straight head-to-head matchups.
Lakers vs Thunder trend
The Oklahoma City Thunder have covered the Spread in 59 of their last 93 games (+26.00 Units / 25% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Thunder.
How to watch Lakers vs Thunder
| Location | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK |
| Date | Tuesday, 4-8-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FanDuel Sports Network - Oklahoma, Spectrum SportsNet |
Lakers vs Thunder latest injuries
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