Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers NBA Picks & Predictions 1/3/2018

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Staples Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Oklahoma City Thunder travel to Staples Center to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, January 3, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Oklahoma City as 5 point favorites.

The Thunder head into this matchup with a mark of 20-17. They are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.0 as they are averaging 103.5 points per contest while giving up 100.5 per game. The Lakers have an overall mark of 11-25. They currently are 5th in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 107.0 points per contest and giving up 111.3, which is a point differential of -4.3.

Valuable Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 13-23-1 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 15-22-0 against the over/un=DEr

Important Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 17-19-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 20-16-0 against the over/un=DEr

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

12/31/17 G Andre Roberson Knee is "?" Wednesday vs LA Lakers

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/24/17 PG Lonzo Ball Shoulder is out indefinitely
12/19/17 C Brook Lopez Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook comes into this contest averaging 24.8 points per game while playing 36.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Thunder. He pulls down 9.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 10 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is currently at 72%. Carmelo Anthony averages 17.5 points per game in 33.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.6 assists per contest and 6 rebounds per game for Oklahoma City. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 77%.

Player Spotlight

Kyle Kuzma averages 17.5 points per game while playing 32.1 minutes per contest this year for the Lakers. He grabs 6.5 rebounds per game and has 1.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage currently is at 75%. Jordan Clarkson averages 14.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 23.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.9 rebounds per contest and 3.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City averages 103.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.03 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 24th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 44.1 rebounds per game and 20.7 assists per game, which ranks them 12th and 27th in those offensive categories. In the turnover =DEpartment they rank 14th with 14.6 per game. The Thunder allow 100.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 8th and 8th in those =DEfensive categories. Opponents average 41 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 21.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 10th place in the league. They force 16.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 11th in the league with 107 points per game this year. They are 17th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -4.25. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 30th in the NBA. They are 3rd in the league in rebounding with 46.2 boards per game, and 8th in assists per contest with 23. The Lakers are 2nd in turnovers per game with 16.5. The Lakers surren=DEr 111.3 points per contest, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their =DEfense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 14th and 2nd in those =DEfensive statistics. They rank 18th with 22.9 assists allowed per contest and 28th with 45.6 rebounds surren=DEred per game. The Lakers are 24th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.6 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.9, and their defensive rating of 104.7 is ranked 27th. In terms of pace they are 26th in the league with 94.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 23rd. As a team they are 24th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league. Oklahoma City is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 17th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 6th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 19th in the NBA. The Lakers are 28th in the league in defensive rating with 107.7, and their offensive rating of 103.6 is ranked 16th. They are 1st in the NBA in pace with 101.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 25th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 22nd in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Thunder/Lakers NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Oklahoma City -5

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