Los Angeles Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Pick & Prediction 4/8/25
At 8:00 ET, the Thunder (-834) will host the Lakers (+564) in a Western Conference matchup. The Lakers are currently on a 2-game win streak and are 3rd in the West, while the Thunder (-14) have dropped two straight and are 1st in the conference.
This game will be played at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City and can be seen on SN-LA. The over/under line for this game is 226 points.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER BETTING PICK
The Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder -14
This game will be played at Paycom Center at 8:00 ET on Tuesday, April 8th.
WHY BET THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 140-120 in favor of the Thunder.
- Our projections have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finishing with 32 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.
- From the field, we have the Thunder finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.7% and knocking down 17 threes.
Will Los Angeles Shock Everyone at Paycom Center?
The Lakers improved to 48-30 on the season with a 126-99 road win over the Thunder on Sunday. Entering the game as +9.5 point underdogs, Los Angeles not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread. The total points for the game ended at 225, falling short of the 230.5 O/U line.
After an 11-0 run by the Thunder cut the score to 58-53, the Lakers responded by outscoring them 36-24 in the 2nd quarter. Los Angeles took a commanding 103-77 lead into the 4th quarter and held off the Thunder, winning the final quarter 23-22.
In their win over the Thunder, the Lakers shot 54.8% from the field and hit 22 threes at a 55% clip. Luka Dončić led the way with 30 points, including 14 in the first quarter, and added 7 rebounds and 6 assists.
Austin Reaves contributed 20 points, knocking down 4 threes at 50%, while LeBron James added 19 points and 7 assists. Dončić connected on 5 threes in the game.
After giving up 32 points in the 1st quarter, the Lakers tightened up defensively, holding the Thunder to just 24 points in the 2nd quarter, 21 in the 3rd, and 22 in the 4th. Overall, they allowed 99 points on 43% shooting from the field.
From beyond the arc, the Lakers limited the Thunder to 12 made threes on 32% shooting. They also sent Oklahoma City to the free-throw line just 12 times, where they made 9. The Lakers grabbed 35 defensive rebounds, allowing 9 offensive boards, and recorded 6 steals.
Can the Thunder Pull Out the Win as Home Favorites?
The Thunder fell to 64-14 on the season after a 126-99 home loss to the Lakers on Sunday. Oklahoma City, who were favored by 9.5 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 225, falling short of the 230.5 O/U line.
Oklahoma City found themselves in a hole early, trailing 42-32 after the 1st quarter. The Lakers extended their lead with an 11-0 run, narrowing the score from 58-42 to 58-53. By the start of the 4th quarter, the Thunder were down 103-77, and the Lakers outscored them 23-22 in the final period.
In their 126-99 loss to the Lakers, the Thunder’s offense struggled, shooting just 43.3% from the field and hitting 32.4% from beyond the arc, making 12 threes. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 26 points, 9 assists, and 3 rebounds, shooting 52.2% overall and 40% from three.
Jalen Williams added 16 points, despite shooting 28.6%, while Chet Holmgren contributed 10 points, hitting 66.7% from the field and making 2 threes at a 66.7% clip. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 10 points in the 1st quarter and 11 more in the 3rd.
The Thunder struggled defensively in the 1st half, giving up 42 points in the 1st quarter and 36 in the 2nd, contributing to their 126-99 loss to the Lakers. Oklahoma City allowed Los Angeles to shoot 54% from the field.
From beyond the arc, the Lakers hit 22 threes at a 55% clip. The Thunder sent the Lakers to the line 17 times, where they made 12 free throws. Oklahoma City finished with 9 steals and 3 blocks.