Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers Predictions, NBA Picks, Betting Tips 8/5/2020

Game: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Location: HP Field House in Orlando, Florida

TV: ESPN

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (41-25, 3rd in the Northwest Division) travel to HP Field House on Wednesday where they'll meet the Los Angeles Lakers (51-15, 1st in the Pacific Division). 

The Thunder cover the spread 62.1% of the time, having gone 41-25-0 ATS. Los Angeles is covering 55.4% of the time, going 36-29-1 against the spread.

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

08/04/20 PF Mike Muscala Concussion is doubtful Wednesday vs LA Lakers
08/03/20 PG Dennis Schroder Personal is questionable Wednesday vs LA Lakers
08/03/20 SG Terrance Ferguson Leg is questionable Wednesday vs LA Lakers

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

07/12/20 PG Rajon Rondo Thumb is out 6-8 weeks
06/28/20 SG Avery Bradley Personal is out for season

Player Spotlight

Chris Paul averages 17.8 points per contest in 31.8 minutes per game this year. He averages 6.8 assists per game and 4.9 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% for the season while his free throw percentage is 90%. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander comes into this game averaging 19.4 points per contest while playing 35.2 minutes per night. He grabs 6.0 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis averages 26.8 points per game and he sees the court an average of 34.5 minutes per game. He also hauls in 9.4 rebounds per game and dishes 3.2 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 85%. LeBron James scores 25.4 points per contest while playing 34.9 minutes per game. He hauls in 8.0 rebounds per contest and has 10.4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 70%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Thunder allow 108.3 points per contest which is 11th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 13th and 4th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 44.3 rebounds a game which ranks 12th, and they allow 23.0 assists per game which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 14.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 9th in the NBA. Oklahoma City averages 110.8 points per contest, which is 18th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 2.5 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 4th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They average 42.7 boards per contest and 21.8 assists per game, which ranks them 26th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 25th with 13.6 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Lakers give up 106.8 points per game, which ranks them 3rd in the league. Their defense surrenders a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 6th and 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 6th with 23.2 dimes allowed per game and 3rd with 42.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Lakers are 25th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.9 per contest. Los Angeles is 8th in the NBA with 113.8 points per contest this season. They are 1st in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 7.0. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 20th in the league. They are 8th in the NBA in rebounding with 45.9 boards per contest and 9th in assists per game with 25.6. The Lakers are 9th in turnovers per contest with 15.1.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 13th in the league in defensive rating with 109, and their offensive rating of 111.6 is ranked 9th. They are 26th in the NBA in pace with 98.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 9th. As a unit they are 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 25th in the NBA. Oklahoma City is 22nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 22nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 10th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 26th in the league. The Lakers are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.4, and their defensive rating of 105.5 is ranked 3rd. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 101 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 5th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 23rd in the league.

So what is Tonights Parlay prediction?

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Los Angeles and over the total points

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