Lakers vs Thunder Predictions and Betting Tips 30 Nov 2024 - NBA Picks
NLB Staff
29.11.2024 13:07
Lakers vs Thunder Prediction
As the Los Angeles Lakers have entered this game showing a much greater improvement from last season under J.J. Reddick, they play an Oklahoma City Thunder squad that is currently in 1st place in Western Conference play. With Los Angeles coming off a 2-game losing streak after taking a 127-102 defeat to Denver, they play an OKC squad that’s masterfully beat Sacramento. This matchup will take place on November 30th at 8:30 A.M. IST in Cyrpto.com Arena of Los Angeles. Underneath are our key betting tips, top player props, vital injuries, and head-to-head matchups to create a potential scoreline for this game.
Lakers vs Thunder Betting Tips & Predictions
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs Thunder Moneyline Pick
As the money line in this game is at -127 for OKC, they should have an easy win due to their ability as an all-around unit. Led by an elite backcourt with Shai Gilegous-Alexander and Alex Caruso complementing each other, they should easily outscore Cam Reddish plus Austin Reaves. While both forward positions are stronger in scoring with OKC having Luguentz Dort and Jalen Williams who can easily outscore Lebron James plus Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles center Anthony Davis will try to keep this game close with his strength of rebounding plus scoring over Isaish Hartenstien. Therefore, the -127 moneyline for OKC is a great pick and should be their 1st win against this Lakers team in a while.
2. Los Angeles Lakers vs Thunder Point Spread Pick
Knowing that the spread in this game is at -1.5 for Oklahoma City, it should be taken as they are a much stronger two-way unit. Led by Shai Gilegous-Alexander, his prowess as an elite scorer from any place is a vital component along with his passing. Although he goes up against a rising star in Austin Reaves, SGA is just too explosive and should have easy finishes against the Lakers guard. As a much better defender too, this star should create multiple steals and traps that will lead to a transition offense for OKC. At shooting guard, although Alex Caruso and Cam Reddish have very similar defensive roles, Caruso has shown more prowess as a scorer. Someone who can knock down threes and get inside as well, he will beat Reddish a few times and should outscore him even though they play a very similar game on the other end. With the small forward position having Rui Hachimura’s great ability to get boards plus finishing inside for Los Angeles, he will be slowed down in this game due to Lugentez Dort’s strong frame. As Oklahoma City’s SF continues causing many scorers to hit threes because of not allowing them inside at all, he should force Hachimura to take a lot of tougher looks. Having Lebron James and Jalen Williams playing at a very similar level, Williams has a higher chance of locking down James passing plus scoring ability due to his lockdown defense. Knowing the Thunder guard can keep scoring on a regressing defender, Anthony Davis is the only hope for Los Angeles to win this game as he has a huge advantage against Isaish Hartenstien. Seeing this, the -1.5 spread for Oklahoma City is a great pick.
3. Los Angeles Lakers vs Thunder Over/Under Pick (Total Points)
With the over/under being at 228.5 points in this game, both teams have high-level offenses to put multiple buckets in. As Los Angeles has a very athletic combo guard leading the way, their small forward continues to be one of the strongest finishers. Knowing that this group has a strong power forward/center combination that has two high-scoring pieces who can score from anywhere, their backup point guard can continue driving in the lanes with ease. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City is led by one of the strongest all-around point guards who will find his small forward as a top three-point shooter. Knowing that this group has a stronger power forward who could finish inside or knock down perimeter looks, their bench should continue being a charge to help this unit score more. Looking at this, the game should go well over their 220 combined points from last time out.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Thunder Top Player Props
Anthony Davis over 29.5 points at 1.87: Being one of the best finishers inside this season, the Lakers center should continue using outside prowess to handle this game effectively throughout. As he is guarded by Isaish Hartenstien, some shots may be harder to come by but Davis should continue using size and strength to score. Knowing that he scores 30.1 points a night, the Lakers center should hit the over in this game.
Jalen Williams over 20.5 points at 1.71: As this OKC power forward continues showing a great ability to drive in plus hit long-range shots, he should have another high-octane game offensively. Going up against a regressed defender like Lebron James, he should use size and speed to finish inside or find space for longer shots. Given that he scores 22.1 points a night, Jalen Williams should go above his season average during the matchup.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Thunder Injury News & Impact
Los Angeles Lakers Injuries: With Jarred Vanderbilt, 4.8 rebounds, last season as their defensive specialist, still out due to his foot injury, this group will have even less depth with both Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood out as well.
Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries: As Alex Caruso should return from his hip injury, this group lost Cason Wallace, 6.2 points, to a right ankle sprain which could affect this point guard depth behind Shai Gilegous-Alexander. Still having no Chet Holmgren, 16.4 points plus 8.7 rebounds, due to a right iliac hip injury, this group will have to rely on a less efficient offensive center in Isaish Hartenstien. With Ousmane Dieng, right finger fracture, not available for the next three to four weeks, their loss of Jaylin Williams makes this team more smaller.
Lakers vs Thunder Head-to-Head Trends
Although the Lakers have recently been on a very strong trend against this Oklahoma City squad after winning three in a row, the Thunder hope to change everything around. As this OKC roster has scored over 100 points 8 straight times, they should have another high-energy offensive night. Even though the Thunder are 2-5 against the spread vs Los Angeles over their past 7 games, things will shift here and this Oklahoma City roster hopes to improve on their 109.7 points over their previous 3 matchups.
Betting Insights & Public Trends
Looking at the current trends and betting insights, 55.9% of bettors are favoring Oklahoma City to beat Los Angeles in this matchup.
Lakers vs Thunder Final Prediction
As both teams have shown great ability in Western Conference play, this Thunder squad has just been more complete and should have another dominating performance. In a game they should narrowly win, this group is led by Shai Gilegous-Alexander as their all-around threat at point guard. Being one of the best passers and able to score inside or from perimeter areas, he should have completed over Austin Reaves's defense. Even though Reaves has been a pretty good scorer in his regard, the ability of Gilegous-Alexander to create turnovers will help the Thunder have more positions. Also winning the rebounding battle, he will have Alex Caruso next to him as a shooting guard and a lockdown defender. Although Cam Reddish is also a great defender, he will be prone to giving up more leaks to Caruso for finishes, helping the Thunder SG outscore Los Angeles’s one. With Alex Caruso having a solid blocking ability as well, he should block Reddish whenever he tries to drive in the lanes.
With Rui Hachimura at small forward to Los Angeles, many would think he should dominate this matchup having a great board-crashing ability. But, in reality, this Thunder piece in Luguentz Dort will use strong body control and strength to leave Hachimura out of the paint plus gain a rebounding advantage over him. Although Hachimura can leap up and dunk, Dort should block those, while also providing his strength by driving inside or knocking down threes on the offensive end. Meanwhile, Lebron James will go up against Jalen Williams in a matchup that Williams should win due to the great speed that helps him finish inside. As Williams is an outside sorcerer as well, his defensive prowess will affect Lebron’s passing angles while also not letting him go up for layups with ease. Even though Anthony Davis will try to keep this game close at center against a defensive and rebounding center in Isaish Hartenstien, Isaiah Joe plus Aaron Wiggins should provide of the bench. But, if Max Christie can provide off the bench for this Lakers squad they could potentially end up on top.
Our prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder win and cover their -1.5 spread, while score goes over 228.5 points.
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