Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers Free NBA Picks & Odds
by Alan Matthews - 3/6/2014
Sunday, March 9, 3:30 PM on ABC
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
It was a record setting night the last time Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder visited the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 13 of this year. However, this wasn't a record anyone would be proud of with the Lakers earning their 7th straight loss at home by a score of 107-103.
The Lakers were actually in the game going into the fourth quarter but they started getting sloppy with the ball and ended up with 22 turnovers. Durant led the Thunder with 43 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. 19 of those 43 came in the fourth quarter where the Thunder put this one away and helped the Lakers set their record. Here is a fun fact: Durant almost outscored the Lakers by himself by scoring 19 to the Lakers 21. Reggie Jackson also contributed to the win with 16 points on 7-of-15 shooting.
Kendall Marshall did his best to keep the Lakers in this game with 14 points, seven rebounds, and a whopping 17 assists but it wasn't enough. For the Lakers, six players scored in double digits and everyone on the team also contributed at least one turnover.
Over the last 10 head-to-head matchups between the Thunder and the Lakers, Oklahoma City is 6-4 against the spread. The 'over' is 7-3 as well, proving these are never really defensive matchups. One thing to note is that three of the four games between the two where the Lakers have covered came on their home court. However, they were losers ATS in three other home games during the same time period.
Between Oklahoma City and Los Angeles, the Lakers have been better ATS over the last month. The Thunder had lost five straight against the spread in Feb. but are playing better as of late.
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