The 2024 NBA Cup continues on Friday night with a clash between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
OKC's road trip to California has been a success with wins against Sacramento and Golden State, and my Thunder vs. Lakers predictions expect that to continue.
Here are my free NBA picks for this Western Conference clash on November 29.
Thunder vs Lakers prediction
My best bet
Thunder -3 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Los Angeles Lakers are 7-3 straight up in their last 10 games but are just 3-7 against the spread during that span.
Those seven wins came against four of the worst teams in the NBA and a Grizzlies squad missing Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. They're fresh off a win against the Spurs, but that snapped a three-game skid, which included a pair of losses by 25+ points to the Suns and Nuggets.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have won three in a row to improve to 14-4 on the season and have an NBA-best net rating of +10.7. The only weakness for the Thunder has been their inability to rebound the ball, but that may have changed with Isaiah Hartenstein now in the lineup.
The Thunder have missed the rim protection of injured center Chet Holmgren, but with Hartenstein in the lineup, they've been locking down foes with an added boost on the boards. The seven-footer began the season sidelined by an injury but made his OKC debut last week and has averaged 15.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in 30.3 minutes per game.
The Lakers have been efficient on offense but have struggled on the other end of the floor, ranking just 26th in defensive efficiency. That poor defense combined with their inability to beat high-end opponents has me laying the points with the visitors.
Thunder vs Lakers same-game parlay
Thunder -3
Luguentz Dort Over 1.5 threes
D'Angelo Russell Over 3.5 assists
Thunder guard Lu Dort has gone ice-cold from deep lately, knocking down just 2 of 17 shots from downtown over the last four games. However, he had knocked down 2.8 treys per game at a 46.6% clip over his previous 12 contests.
Expect Dort to rediscover his shooting stroke against a Lakers squad 21st in the league in opponent 3-point percentage (36.7%) and allowing 15.5 threes per game over their last four contests.
D'Angelo Russell isn't getting as much playing time as he's used to, but his assists total still looks too low at 3.5. DLo has eclipsed that number in his last seven games and is averaging 5.3 apg during that span.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Thunder vs Lakers odds
Thunder vs Lakers live odds
Thunder vs Lakers opening odds
- Spread: Oklahoma City +1 | Los Angeles -1
- Moneyline: Oklahoma City -110 | Los Angeles -110
- Over/Under: Over 229.5 | Under 229.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Thunder vs Lakers spread and Over/Under analysis
- This line opened with the Thunder at +1, but money has poured in on them, and they are now the favorites at -3.
- The total has ticked up from 229.5 to 230.5 despite OKC leading the NBA in defensive rating and allowing the second-fewest points per game (103.8).
- The Under is 5-2 in the Thunder's last seven games while cashing in three straight for L.A.
- The Lakers have gone 7-2 at home with a net rating of +2.9, while the Thunder are 6-2 on the road with a net rating of +10.8.
Thunder vs Lakers trend
The Lakers have only covered the fourth-quarter spread in 34 of their last 89 games (-25.30 Units / -25% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Lakers.
How to watch Thunder vs Lakers
| Location: | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date: | Friday, 11-29-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
Thunder vs Lakers latest injuries
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