The Oklahoma City Thunder (40-13) and Los Angeles Lakers (32-19) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The game will broadcast live on Peacock.
The Thunder are 7.5-point favorites over the Lakers on the spread (Thunder -7.5), with the over/under set at 223.5 total points. Oklahoma City is a -258 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Los Angeles is +210 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Thunder vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Monday, February 9.
Thunder vs Lakers Prediction, Picks
- Thunder vs Lakers pick: Under 223.5 (-110)
My Thunder vs Lakers best bet is on the points total under, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Thunder vs Lakers Odds
| Thunder Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -105 | 223.5 -110o / -110u | -258 |
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -115 | 223.5 -110o / -110u | +210 |
Thunder vs Lakers NBA Preview
The Thunder head to Los Angeles after losing two games in a row, just the fourth time this season.
While they have been dealing with injuries all season, they have been without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the past two games and will be through the All-Star break.
Even without their MVP and others, the Thunder have been competitive against the Spurs and Rockets, building a double-digit lead against Houston.
They will face another potential playoff opponent when they take on the Lakers, who should be motivated coming into this one.
The Thunder won the first meeting this season by 29 points in Oklahoma City and have won three of the last four meetings by eight points or more. They will get Jalen Williams tonight after he missed the last three weeks with a hamstring strain.
Williams has not replicated his All-NBA season from a year ago as he has battled multiple injuries.
However, his return gives the Thunder another shot creator with SGA and Ajay Mitchell out tonight. He is averaging 20.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and four assists in the last seven games against the Lakers.
Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace will also be significant factors for the Thunder tonight and will make them tough to score against.
Meanwhile, the Lakers trailed on Thursday after losing Luka Doncic, and the deficit extended to double digits in the third quarter.
However, they outscored the 76ers 68-56 in the second half to rally for a 119-115 victory. They defeated the Warriors 105-99 on Saturday night, extending their winning streak to 3.
They will play tonight without Doncic for the third straight game, but look for LeBron James and Austin Reaves to step up for him.
James has a double-double with assists in each of his past two games.
Reaves has been on a minutes limit and coming off the bench as he works his way back from injury. However, he has scored 51 points in 49 minutes over the past two games.
The Lakers will also get DeAndre Ayton back after he missed Saturday's game with the Warriors.
Thunder vs Lakers Predictions, Betting Analysis
Under 223.5
Tonight's game was supposed to feature the league's two leading scorers, but SGA and Doncic are both out.
That also plays into a trend in Lakers' home games.
The first 11 Lakers' home games all went over, but since then, they are 7-4 to the under in their last 11 home games.
In this series, five of the last six meetings have gone under, and four of them have had 220 points or less.
The Thunder's last two games without SGA have had 222 and 218 points. Their top-ranked defense is slightly better without him off the floor.
At 223.5, I see some value in the under tonight.
Cason Wallace 10+ Points / 2+ Steals
Wallace is usually disruptive on the defensive end and may see time guarding Reaves and/or James tonight.
He is averaging 2.1 steals per game this season, and he has gotten two steals or more in six of his last eight games. He also has had two steals in five of his last six games against the Lakers.
However, he has also taken advantage of his opportunities amidst the Thunder's injuries.
He has scored 20 points twice in his last five games. He is averaging 16.2 points per game in that span, cracking double-digits four times.
LeBron James 6+ Assists
James started at point guard with Doncic out against the Warriors and had 10 assists.
He has had six assists in seven of his last 10 games.
He has also had six assists in six of his last seven games against the Thunder, averaging 6.1 per game.
Rui Hachimura 2+ Three-Pointers Made
A pair of assists may go to Rui Hachimura, who is averaging 12 points over his last 10 games.
In that span, he has knocked two triples six times and is shooting 51.6% from three.
Hachimura has made two 3s in four of his last six games against the Thunder, who allow the most corner threes in the league.
Thunder vs Lakers Best Bet
- Under 223.5 (-110, DraftKings)
Thunder vs Lakers Parlay Picks
- Cason Wallace 10+ Points
- LeBron James 6+ Assists
- Rui Hachimura 2+ Three-Pointers Made
- Cason Wallace 2+ Steals
Parlay Odds: +360 via DraftKings
Lakers vs Thunder Betting Trends
