NBA 2019 Preview, Odds and Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder

The Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder will settle the score on Friday night at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The teams faced each other just three days ago at the Staples Center with the Lakers prevailing, 112-107.

The Lakers will kick-off a four-game schedule away from LA while riding a five-game winning streak. They will head to downtown OKC bannering a superb 4-1 road record and 12-2 overall - still the best in the NBA. The defense is the name of the game for head coach Frank Vogel and his boys. The Lakers are No. 1 in the league in terms of defensive rating and just behind the Utah Jazz in giving up the least points to an opponent per night.

The Thunder will have to defy their poor offensive stats to avoid getting crushed by the hands of Lebron James and the Lakers for the second game in a row. The traditional numbers are not so friendly for Billy Donovan and his wards. They are No. 24 in points per game, and No. 25 both in rebounds and dimes per outing.

Steven Adams was a non-factor in the previous game as Donovan said that his starting center “is still trying to shake off a left knee injury.

Anthony Davis is tagged as probable for this match. He was also listed the same in the previous game but still ended up playing 37 minutes and tallied 34-7-4-4-2.

Kyle Kuzma, who suffered a right eye abrasion, is expected to play. Alex Caruso is listed as probable with a right calf strain.

Odds:

According to covers.com, the Los Angeles Lakers are projected to beat the OKC Thunder for the second time in four days. The handicap of 4.5 points is given to the LA squad, seeing them to win at a 65 percent chance which is good for a 1.55 (-182) straight-up price. The home team Thunder is at 2.60 (+160) in the money line market.

The Purple and Gold are 9-5 ATS this season but all evened up in the last six games, including a loss in the previous game where they failed to cover the -11 spread.

The Thunder shares the same record as the Lakers in the ATS row overall and in the last 10 games (6-4). In the last five, they covered the spread four times.

The total line is offered at 211.5. The trend for both teams has been leaning towards the OVERS selection, seizing the pick five times over the last seven in OKC’s games, and four times in the last six in LAL’s.

Prediction:

Book the Lakers’ sixth consecutive win. Lebron James is showing no signs of slowing down while his support crew thrives well to the system that Vogel runs. Easy pick for them to cover the spread.

Go OVER on the total line here. The market adjusted a bit from the previous line offered after the total went over the 209.5 line, 112-107. At 211.5 this time, expect both teams to shadow past the line again.