Thunder vs Lakers Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Nothing Gets Past SGA

As the Oklahoma City Thunder continue to surge and push for the top seed in the West, head coach Mark Daigneault and his squad head to L.A. to take on a Los Angeles Lakers team that’s hit more than a few bumps in the road this season. 

The NBA odds give the Lakers just a 1-point edge at Crypto.com Arena, but the question is who will be playing? Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis status’ are up in the air with ankle injuries while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was added to the injury report with a knee issue that has him listed as questionable. 

Find out where my best bets lie in our NBA picks for Thunders vs. Lakers on Monday, January 15.

Thunder vs Lakers odds

Thunder vs Lakers predictions

It’s hard to gauge which direction to go in with this game due to injuries and no lines yet available on Chet Holmgren. With that being said, if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander suits up against the Los Angeles Lakers, he’s poised to put on a show in La-La Land.

For the second straight season, SGA is playing at an All-NBA level. The one-time All-Star is averaging career-highs in points (31.5), assists (6.4), and field goal percentage (55.8%). It feels like every night he takes the court he’s making defenders look silly and pouring on the points.

He’s been so good on the offensive end that taking the Over on his points line alone has lost value. He’s -150 to go Over 31.5 points, and while he’s -115 to go Over 38.5 points + assists and -120 to go Over 44.5 points + assists + rebounds, this matchup may lend best to his defensive efforts.

The Gilgeous-Alexander offensive experience gets all the headlines, and rightfully so, he’s been one of the most electric players in the NBA the last two seasons, but the Canadian isn’t just averaging career-highs on offense, he’s also up to 2.4 steals per game to go along with 0.8 blocks.

Last season, Gilgeous-Alexander set a career-high with 2.6 steals and blocks per game (1.6 steals, one block), and he’s shot far past those numbers this season. With a line of 2.5 blocks + steals, he can go Over against a Lakers team that’s been known to turn the ball over.

While the Lakers are only blocked 4.8 times per game, Darvin Ham’s team averages the fourth-most opponent steals per game with 8.4 this season. L.A. is allowing 3.62 steals per game to guards and its 1.95 steals to point guards are the seventh most in the NBA.

Overall, L.A. is giving up 4.84 combined steals + blocks to guards per game with starting guards D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves accounting for a combined 3.99 turnovers per game.

That bodes well for SGA, who had three steals the last time these two teams played in December. On the season, the Thunders lead guard has had 3+ steals in 15 of 37 outings (40.5%) and even added one game with three blocks. Overall, he’s finished with a combined three steals + blocks 23 times (62.1%).

My best bet: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 2.5 steals + blocks (-105 at bet365)

Thunder vs Lakers same-game parlay

Shai Gilgeious-Alexander Over 2.5 steals + blocks

Shai Gilgeious-Alexander Over 38.5 points + assists

Austin Reaves Over 1.5 turnovers

+450 at bet365

There are few players in the NBA as active on both ends of the court as SGA. Not only does he lead the league in steals, but he’s third in points per game and Daigneault has been in awe of his growth.

"It's just amazing looking back and seeing what he's done physically,” Daigneault said about Gilgeous-Alexander. “When you look back to when he was a rookie and in his second year, third year. He's definitely invested there and he's done it consistently.”

That investment has paid off with Shai becoming the face of the franchise in OKC and developing into one of the most ferocious playmakers in the NBA. This season, he’s averaging a combined 37.9 points + assists per game, and in two games against the Lakers this season, that number gets bumped to 40.5.

He’s in position to continue to torch L.A. and have his 18th game of at least 39 points + assists this season. One player in position to get torched by SGA is Reaves, who will likely be in trouble on both ends against the Oklahoma City star.

Reaves is averaging 2.10 turnovers per game and has 2+ turnovers in 28 of 40 games (70%) this season.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Thunder vs Lakers spread and Over/Under analysis

The Thunder opened as 4.5-point road dogs at books that had a line Sunday evening, but by early Monday morning, most had the Lakers at -1 to -1.5; although Caesars has it as a pick'em. Betway has the Lakers -1.5 at +100.

The Lakers have struggled ATS this season with the seventh-worst record in the league. L.A. is 17-24 ATS, but 1-1 against the Thunder. On the other hand, OKC is the best team in the NBA against the number. Daigneault’s team has gone 26-11-1 ATS and has covered in three straight.

The total opened between 236.5 and 237.5 at most books and has come up to between 238 and 238.5. The Lakers are 21-20 betting the Over this season and have been better lately. L.A. is 12-5 betting the Over in its last 17.

With the third-highest scoring offense in the league, the Thunder are 23-15 betting the Over this season. OKC has hit the Over in 12 of its last 18 games. The Over also cashed in both meetings this season.

Thunder vs Lakers betting trend to know

The Thunder have won 30 of their last 42 games (+18.45 units / 20% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Lakers.

Thunder vs Lakers game info

Thunder vs Lakers latest injuries

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