by Rod Pearson
Monday, Apr 07, 2025
Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Where to Watch: FDSOK
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Lakers +8.5, Thunder -8.5; Over/Under: 229 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Lakers +8.5, Thunder -8.5; Over/Under: 229 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Lakers +8.5, Thunder -8.5; Over/Under: 229 points
Season Record
Los Angeles Lakers: 48-30 (1st place, Pacific Division)
Oklahoma City Thunder: 64-14 (1st place, Northwest Division)
Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Jim Feist is on a HOT STREAK in the NBA on a 22-9 NBA RUN for +$11,990 PROFIT! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.
Recent Form
Los Angeles Lakers: 5-5 last 10
Oklahoma City Thunder: 8-2 last 10
Los Angeles Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Preview and Analysis
The Lakers are entering this game with a 48-30 record overall this season and they are 18-20 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak with wins coming against the New Orleans Pelicans and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Luka Dončić led the team in points in that game with 30 while Austin Reaves was next on the team with 20 points. LeBron James led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Rui Hachimura, Luka Dončić, and Dorian Finney-Smith each led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 54.8% from the field, 55% from 3-point range, and 70.6% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 113.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 112.1 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 43-33-2 this season and their O/U record is 39-39.
The Thunder are entering this game with a 64-14 record overall this season and they are 34-6 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game losing streak with losses coming against the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team in points in that game with 26 while Jalen Williams was next on the team with 16 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein each led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 43.3% from the field, 32.4% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 120 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 107.5 PPG against them. The Thunder have an ATS record of 49-26-4 this season and their O/U record is 42-35-2.
Lakers vs Thunder Prediction
The current betting odds have the Lakers listed as an 8.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Lakers have looked good in their games this season with their 48-30 record overall which has them right near the top of the West and in a playoff spot. They haven't been a great road team though with their 18-20 road record this season. Meanwhile, the Thunder have looked great in their games this season with their 64-14 record overall which has them right at the top of the West with the best record in the entire NBA. They have also looked great on their home court with their 34-6 home record this season. The Thunder have been one of the best teams in the NBA all season and have been leading the West for most of the year. They have been really hot lately too, going 8-2 in their last 10 games, but they have lost some of their momentum now with 2 losses in a row. They are also coming off a bad home loss to the Lakers in their last one, getting held under 100 points in that game. The Lakers haven't been at their best lately as they are 5-5 in their last 10 games, but they are starting to get healthy again and are building momentum with 2 wins in a row now. The Thunder will be looking to bounce back after an embarrassing performance against the Lakers on their own home court, but the Lakers have shown they can go toe-to-toe with the Thunder in their own house so it isn't going to be easy for them to just bounce back here. The Lakers know this is the team to beat in the West this year so they are going to bring their best effort to see how they match up as they prepare for the playoffs. The Thunder will bounce back in this game, but they won't blow the Lakers out as the Lakers have the talent to keep themselves in this game. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lakers to cover the spread in this game.
Lakers Thunder Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Tuesday, April 8, 2025 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Thunder 120 Lakers 116.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Los Angeles Lakers Oklahoma City Thunder prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NBA predictions and previews.
NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles Lakers: 13-19 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12 points. 19-37 ATS off a road win. 11-19 ATS off an upset win as a road underdog. 4-1 OVER off a road blowout win by 20 points or more. 28-19 OVER on the road versus good offensive teams - scoring 116+ points/game. 6-3 OVER on the road versus teams who average 9 or more steals/game on the season.
Oklahoma City Thunder: 148-103 ATS in all games. 63-35 ATS as a home favorite. 9-5 ATS after scoring 100 points or less. 29-19 OVER against Pacific division opponents. 26-13 OVER off a upset loss as a favorite. 75-49 OVER after playing a home game.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Lakers: R. Hachimura (PF) Day To Day - Knee. M. Kleber (PF) Out - Foot.
Oklahoma City Thunder: J. Williams (PF) Day To Day - Ankle. A. Ducas (SG) Day To Day - Quadriceps. O. Dieng (C) Day To Day - Calf. A. Mitchell (SG) Out - Toe. N. Topic (PG) Out For Season - ACL.
Notable Quotes
"Between Oklahoma and Cleveland, they're the best teams in the NBA. Oklahoma are the number one team in the West so you can't let up no matter what the score is - they're always going to make a push. That's why they are where they are at this part of the season. So it's a really good win for us and we can build off it. We're just trying to build our habits right now, going into the final stretch of the year." - LeBron James after their win against the OKC Thunder in their game on Sunday.
“If you leave someone alone in the gym, they usually don’t shoot that well from 3. So there’s a shotmaking element. But I also think there’s a focus element that we were lacking in the game.” - Mark Daigneault after his team’s loss against the LA Lakers in their game on Sunday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Lakers
PG Luka Doncic
SG Austin Reaves
SF Rui Hachimura
PF LeBron James
C Jaxson Hayes
Oklahoma City Thunder
PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG Luguentz Dort
SF Jalen Williams
PF Chet Holmgren
C Isaiah Hartenstein
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Lakers
PPG: L. Dončić (27.7)
APG: L. James (8.4)
Reb/G: L. Dončić (8.3)
Oklahoma City Thunder
PPG: S. Gilgeous-Alexander (32.6)
APG: S. Gilgeous-Alexander (6.4)
Reb/G: I. Hartenstein (10.6)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Lakers: JJ Redick (1st season)
Oklahoma City Thunder: Mark Daigneault (5th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
