Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers NBA Picks & Predictions 1/2/2019

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

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 2, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Oklahoma City as 4.5 point favorites.

The Thunder head into this matchup with a mark of 23-13. They are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of 6.5 as they average 112.1 points per contest while giving up 105.6 per game. The Lakers have an overall mark of 21-16. They currently are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They total 113.4 points per contest and give up 111.4, which is a point differential of 1.9.

Valuable Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 20-16-0 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 16-19-0 against the over/under

Important Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 16-20-1 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 15-22-0 against the over/under

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

12/31/18 G Alex Abrines Illness is questionable Wednesday vs LA Lakers
10/04/18 G Andre Roberson Knee is out indefinitely

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/28/18 PG Rajon Rondo Finger is out indefinitely
12/26/18 SF LeBron James Groin is out indefinitely
12/16/18 SF Michael Beasley Personal is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Paul George comes into this contest averaging 26.4 points per game while playing 35.3 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 8.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 84%. Russell Westbrook averages 21.0 points per game in 34.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 10.1 assists per contest and 10.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 62%.

Player Spotlight

Lonzo Ball averages 9.6 points per game while playing 29.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per game and has 5.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is at 49%. Kyle Kuzma averages 18.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.9 rebounds per contest and 2.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City averages 112.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.5 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 15th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 30th in the league. They average 48.4 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 3rd and 24th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 14.5 per game. The Thunder allow 105.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 4th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 8th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.3 rebounds a game which ranks 12th and they give up 23.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 17.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 8th in the league with 113.4 points per game this year. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 1.9. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They are 9th in the league in rebounding with 46.4 boards per game, and 14th in assists per contest with 24.5. The Lakers are 4th in turnovers per game with 15.2. The Lakers surrender 111.4 points per contest, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 15th in those defensive statistics. They rank 13th with 23.9 assists allowed per contest and 24th with 46.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lakers are 18th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 20th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.2, and their defensive rating of 102.8 is ranked 1st. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 102.7 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 32% of their shots, ranking 22nd in the league. Oklahoma City is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 6th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 24th in the league. The Lakers are 19th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.8, and their defensive rating of 107.9 is ranked 10th. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 103 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 3rd. As a team they are 11th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 16th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles +4.5

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