The Los Angeles Lakers will look to make another big statement against the Oklahoma City Thunder when these two title contenders collide anew. The Thunder have already locked up the top seed in the West, but a victory against Los Angeles will avenge a recent loss to the Purple & Gold and also win OKC the regular-season series. As for the Lakers, a win against the Thunder will also strengthen their chances to win the No. 3 seed in the conference.

Catch this game live on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 8:00 AM, Manila time

Away: Los Angeles Lakers (48-30, 18-20 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Luka Doncic (Questionable)
  • Austin Reaves (Questionable)
  • Dorian Finney-Smith (Questionable)
  • LeBron James (Questionable)
  • Jaxson Hayes

The Lakes will look to double up on Oklahoma City after beating the Thunder last Monday on the road, 126-99. However, Los Angeles might be severely undermanned in this rematch, as the Lakers have plenty of bodies on the injury report. Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Dorian Finney-Smith and Austin Reaves are all questionable to play this Wednesday. 

But at least for Doncic and James, there’s a good reason to believe that both will still suit up and play, considering the modest questionable labels and the importance of this contest when it comes to final seedings in the Western Conference standings. In the recent win over the Thunder, Doncic fired 30 points on 11-for-20 shooting from the field while James had 19 points on 9-for-16 shooting. The Lakers’ defense held OKC to only 43.3 percent shooting from the field and to only 32.4 percent from deep in that contest. Over their last five games, the Lakers have shot 41.9 percent from behind the arc.

The Lakers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five regular-season games in Oklahoma City, dating back to 2021.

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Home: Oklahoma City Thunder (64-14, 34-6 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
  • Luguentz Dort
  • Jalen Williams
  • Chet Holmgren
  • Isaiah Hartenstein

The Thunder are suddenly on a losing skid. For just the second time this season (and the first time since the calendar flipped to 2025), the Thunder have lost consecutive games after losing to the Houston Rockets (125-111) and to the Lakers on Monday. While the Thunder are already assured of the top seed in the West, they still need wins to ensure that they will have the homecourt advantage in a possible NBA Finals appearance, as the Cleveland Cavaliers have 62 wins through Tuesday. 

One good news for the Thunder is that all their key players are healthy for the Lakers game, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who shot 12-for-23 in the loss to the Lakers for 26 points. Despite the defeat at the hands of LA, there is no denying that the Thunder are a team to beat this season.  They are third in the league with a 118.8 offensive rating and tops with a 106.5 defensive rating.

The Thunder are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games as the home team.

Picks

Spread: Los Angeles Lakers (+13.5)

Over/Under: Under (226.0)

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