For the Los Angeles Lakers it has been a profound fall from glory since their last NBA title in 2010. The Lakers are coming off four consecutive losing seasons in which their best win total was a mere 27 in 2013-14. First year head coach Luke Walton has done little to improve the Lakers NBA Betting Online prospects. A fifth straight losing season is all but assured for LA. The Oklahoma City Thunder are now a fair to middling team since the departure of Kevin Durant and the Thunder have no realistic championship prospects this season. The Thunder host the Lakers on Wednesday night.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Date and Time: Wednesday, January 17, 2018, 8 pm Eastern
Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG: (Check Back Later)
Lakers vs. Thunder TV Coverage: ESPN
The Los Angeles Lakers have a NBA Betting Online record of just 15-28 straight up and 21-22 against the spread. The Lakers are 10-10 against the spread on the road. They are 10-10 over/under the total in road games this year. The Lakers are coming off a 123-114 loss at Memphis as 3.5-point dogs. The loss snapped a four-game payout streak for LA. The Lakers have gone under the total in three out of their last four games. Los Angeles ranks 11th in the NBA for scoring offense at 106.7 points per game.
The Lakers perennially bad defense remains among the worst in the NBA. LA ranks 27th in the NBA for scoring defense allowing 110.5 points per game. They are just one game ahead of the cellar dweller Sacramento Kings in the Pacific Division. Walton was a popular bench warmer during his playing days with the Lakers and is the son of the legendary Bill Walton. This is his first ever head coaching gig. Walton faces a daunting challenge that even the best of coaches may not be able to master.
What about Oklahoma City?
The Oklahoma City Thunder have little appeal with those betting at sportsbook online sites. The Thunder are 24-20 straight up but just 17-27 against the spread. They have been a poor betting value at home with a mark of 9-13 against the spread. Oklahoma City has gone under the total in 13 out of 22 home games. The team is coming coming off a 95-88 home win over the Sacramento Kings as 12-point overlays.
The Thunder have lost four out of their last five games against the spread. Oklahoma City has gone under the total in four out of their last five games. The one thing Oklahoma City has going for them is point guard Russell Westbrook. Westbrook is a dominant presence that leads the Thunder in scoring with 25 points per game. He also has a team best 9.9 assists and 9.8 rebounds per game.
The Thunder have covered eight consecutive home games against the spread versus the Lakers.
Matchup to Watch
Westbrook against the Lakers weak defense is the key NBA Betting Online matchup in this one. The Lakers have no dominant star to matchup against Westbrook nor cover for their weak defense.
Lakers vs. Thunder NBA Games Betting Odds Picks
The Thunder owns the clear advantage in this one with Westbrook and OKC has a proven record of success against the Lakers at home. I will lay the points and take the Thunder.
NBA Betting Online Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Oklahoma City 111, Los Angeles 91