This might be the game where LeBron breaks the scoring record, but it’s also a must-win game as they look to at-least reach the play-in spots. This will be their first meeting this season and it should be fun.

Catch the game tomorrow at 11:00 AM, Manila time.

HOME: Los Angeles Lakers (25-29, 13-12 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Patrick Beverley
  • Dennis Schroder
  • Rui Hachimura
  • LeBron James (day-to-day)
  • Anthony Davis (day-to-day)

Hard times are still on as the Lakers are once again on the heels of an embarrassing defeat. They lost to the New Orleans Pelicans over the weekend, 131-126, after squandering a double-digit lead. What’s worse is the Pels were without Zion Williamson and on a 10-game skid.

But, of course, they have to keep the grind, and as always, it should start with LeBron James. We should see the old man remain on scoring mode, scoring record or not. He’s at 33.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game on 51.5% shooting since turning 38 last December 30th (16 games). Anthony Davis, on the other hand, is pouring in 27.1 PPG and 12.0 RPG this season. He’s also had 30 or more in his last two outings.

Defense will be a big key, given that the Lake Show rank a terrible 27th in points allowed, and 30-point scorer Shai Gilegeous-Alexander is on the opposition.

The Lakers are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.

AWAY: Oklahoma City Thunder (25-28, 9-17 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
  • Jalen Williams
  • Josh Giddey
  • Aaron Wiggins
  • Mike Muscala

The Thunder are young and full of energy. However, they enter as losers in three of their last four and will be on the second game of a back-to-back. On Tuesday, they were smoked by the Golden State Warriors, 141-114, and gave up 12 three pointers to Klay Thompson alone.

Such is part of the OKC identity this season. While they are 5th in the league in scoring, they make up for it by only ranking 20th in points allowed. Basically, it’s Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey rampaging on offense and the team collectively being hot-and-cold (mostly cold) on defense, hoping it’s enough. Lu Dort is there at times but he’s more of their ‘3 and D’ guy.

Still, there’s a couple of factors to get intrigued about trends-wise. The Thunder are 6-0 ATS in their last six Tuesday games and 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 games overall.

PREDICTION:

Handicap: The Lakers (-7.5) are either losing big or winning close. Either way, they’ll fail to cover the spread.

Over/Under: Under 237.5 should be good.