Thunder vs Lakers Prediction, Odds & Best Bets | NBA MLK Day Betting (1/15): Pick ‘Em Situation in LaLa Land

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It’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States and the NBA isn’t taking its foot off the gas with 11 matchups scheduled for this holiday Monday. The action comes to a close at 10:30 p.m. ET when the Oklahoma City Thunder (27-11) pay a visit to the Los Angeles Lakers (19-21) at crypto.com Arena.

Good morning everyone! Today, the NBA celebrates MLK Day with games starting as early as 1:00pmET.

Here is today's NBA schedule:
– Rockets @ 76ers – 1:00pmET (NBA TV)
– Pelicans @ Mavericks – 2:30pmET (LP)
– Magic @ Knicks – 3:00pmET (LP)
– Pistons @ Wizards – 3:00pmET (LP)
-… pic.twitter.com/xvqa8bnw0B

— Per Sources (@PerSources) January 15, 2024

The Thunder are on one of their better runs of the season, extending their winning streak to four games with Saturday’s 112-100 victory over the Orlando Magic. On the flip side, a 132-125 loss to the Utah Jazz over the weekend handed the Lakers their sixth loss in the last eight outings.

With various predictions and best bets to get into ahead of tonight’s action, let’s not waste any more time. Everything you need to know is in my Thunder vs. Lakers betting preview below.

Thunder vs Lakers NBA Betting Tonight (1/15)

Thunder vs Lakers Matchup Information

• Matchup: Oklahoma City Thunder (27-11, 11-6 Away) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (19-21, 13-7 Home)
• Venue & Location: crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)
• Date: Monday, Jan. 15, 2023
• Game Time: 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Thunder vs. Lakers: NBA TV

Thunder vs Lakers Odds & Spread

Lakers vs. Thunder odds are courtesy of BetDSI as of Monday, Jan. 15 at 10:20 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Thunder vs Lakers Spread

• Oklahoma City Thunder PK (-110)
• Los Angeles Lakers PK (-110)

Lakers vs Thunder Over/Under

• Over 238 Points (-110)
• Under 238 Points (-110)

Thunder vs Lakers Moneyline

• Oklahoma City Thunder (-105)
• Los Angeles Lakers (-115)

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Thunder vs Lakers Betting Trends

• Oklahoma City is 9-2 straight up in its last 11 games.
• The Lakers are 3-6 straight up in their last nine games played in January.
• Oklahoma City is 7-2 ATS in its last nine road games vs. the Lakers.
• The Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last five home games.
• The total hit the Over in four of Oklahoma City’s last five road games.
• The total hit the Over in four of the Lakers’ last five games vs. Oklahoma City.

Thunder vs Lakers Prediction & Pick (1/15)

Tonight’s contest marks the third game of the 2023-24 NBA campaign between the Thunder and Lakers. The first two games took place in Oklahoma City as the Thunder picked up a 133-110 blowout win on Nov. 30 before the Lakers got some revenge with a 129-120 road victory on Dec. 23.

Having said that, it’s clear that it’s the visitors who have momentum on their side tonight.

The Thunder have been one of the league’s best teams since the start of the season and have picked things up even more lately, going 9-2 SU in their last 11 outings. Unsurprisingly, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been tremendous during that stretch, averaging 33,2 points on 71.1% true shooting with 6.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists during that stretch.

The 25-year-old phenom’s strong play is a big reason why he has the second-best odds to be named 2023-24 NBA MVP on Bovada.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s strong play has been a key reason behind the Thunder’s success this season.

Meanwhile, the Lakers can’t seem to figure out how to play consistently. Despite all of the talent on the roster, Darvin Ham’s squad only has four victories in the last 15 games since Dec. 15 (5-10 ATS), winning consecutive outings just once during that stretch.

The Lakers’ poor defensive play has been one of the driving factors behind their struggles. Over the last 15 games, they’ve surrendered 120.7 points on 49.0% shooting from the field with a 40.3% three-point percentage, which ranks 22nd, 24th, and 27th, respectively, in that timeframe. In other words, Los Angeles looks like it can hardly stop a nosebleed.

If the Lakers want to win tonight, a stronger defensive showing is required. The Thunder know how to put up points better than most teams, averaging 122.5 PPG (3rd) on 50.7 FG% (1st) and 39.2 3P% (2nd) with the fourth-best offensive efficiency in the NBA.

It’s also worth noting that OKC leads the Association with a plus-6.9 average scoring margin on the road, whereas Los Angeles only clocks in at plus-1.9 at home (17th).

Honoring the #MLK legacy. His words continue to teach us the power of unity, service and community. pic.twitter.com/GrFSiJUJ2U

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 15, 2024

In a game that BetDSI views as a pick ’em situation, I’m taking Oklahoma City on the road. The Thunder are one of the best teams at the moment and no one is slowing Gilgeous-Alexander down, especially not the Lakers if their recent play is anything to go by. Los Angeles might have the home-court advantage, but that doesn’t mean much when it’s 3-5 SU in its last eight outings at crypto.com Arena.

With that being said, the Thunder on the moneyline has better odds (-105) than the spread (-110), making an outright bet the best option here.

Thunder vs Lakers Prediction: OKC wins

Best Thunder vs Lakers NBA Bet: OKC ML (-105)

Get 100% up to $1,000 on this pick over on BetDSI

Best Thunder vs Lakers NBA Prop Bet (1/15)

The best Thunder vs. Lakers player prop takes us to Bovada, where we’re going with Austin Reaves to score under 16.5 points.

Although Reaves is having the best season of his three-year career, he’s still averaging just 15.2 PPG. On top of his finishing with the Under on this prop in 22 of his 40 outings so far (55.0%), the 25-year-old is only averaging 12.8 points over his last four games while finishing with fewer than 16.5 points three times.

Considering how the Under is also 8-1 in Reaves’ nine previous encounters with the Thunder, it’s best to keep expectations low for the ex-Oklahoma product tonight.

Best Thunder vs Lakers Prop Bet: Austin Reaves u16.5 Total Points (-110)

Get 50% up to $750 on this pick over on Bovada

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