Thursday features two important Game 2 conference semifinal matchups. First, Cleveland will look to even the series in Detroit. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City and Los Angeles will play, with the Lakers looking to avoid a difficult 0-2 hole. Let's take a deeper look and go over our top NBA picks for Lakers vs. Thunder.
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Thursday’s Best NBA Picks & Predictions: Lakers vs. Thunder
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder made light work of the Lakers in Game 1 in Oklahoma City. The Thunder’s tenacious defense held the Lakers to just 90 points on 41% shooting from the field, and 10-of-30 from deep. Los Angeles attempted only 13 free throws in the game despite being the top-rated free-throw team in the NBA during the regular season.
The Thunder forced 17 turnovers from the Lakers and held Austin Reaves to a putrid 3-of-16 shooting night from the field, including going 0-of-5 from deep. Despite all this, Los Angeles still had 26 assists on just 35 field goals - a 74.3% rate that would outpace the best team in the league this year.
It's hard to imagine the Lakers put up an offensive dud quite like they did in Game 1. Oklahoma City ultimately proved to be too much for Los Angeles, but the Lakers battled early to keep Game 1 within striking distance and have a chance to cover. This Game 2 spread is also heavily favoring Oklahoma City, and there is some value there.
The Lakers are going to find more ways to get to the free-throw line in Game 2. They should be able to finish off more possessions and avoid the turnovers that plagued them on Tuesday.
Additionally, you have to expect a bounce-back game from Reaves. He may not be 100% right now, but he's better than the performance he showed in Game 1, and he'll need to. The Lakers are too talented and too experienced to get blown out in back-to-back games. I like them to cover on Thursday night.
Pick: Lakers +15.5 (-110)
