Lakers vs Thunder Prediction NBA Experts Picks 03/24

© Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Thunder vs. Lakers - NBA Game Preview - March 24, 2023

In this Western Conference matchup, the Oklahoma City Thunder will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers. With both teams sitting at 36-37 and fighting for a playoff spot, this game is crucial for their postseason hopes. NBA picks experts and NBA picks computer predictions are split on who will come out on top, as both teams have been playing well lately. NBA picks and parlays, along with NBA expert picks, are sure to be in high demand for this matchup. The Lakers, led by Anthony Davis, have been playing consistently well, averaging 113.3 points, 43.4 rebounds, and 25.1 assists per game over their last 10 games. The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, have been just as impressive, averaging 114.1 points, 43.7 rebounds, and 22.1 assists per game. While the Lakers are favored by 5.5 points, NBA picks with spread and NBA predictions today suggest that this game could go either way. Both teams have been playing with a sense of urgency, and this game should be highly competitive. Whether you're looking for the best NBA bets today, NBA picks for today, or NBA picks odds, this game should provide plenty of excitement for basketball fans. Don't miss out on this crucial Western Conference matchup between the Thunder and Lakers.

Thunder: Offensive Analysis

The Oklahoma City Thunder will face off against the Los Angeles Lakers in a Western Conference game on Friday night. With both teams struggling to make the playoffs this season, this game could be crucial for their postseason hopes. The Thunder has been impressive on the offensive end, averaging 117.6 points per game (ranked 5th in the league). They are also excellent at creating turnovers, averaging 13.3 per game (ranked 5th in the league). However, they struggle from beyond the arc, shooting just 36.0% (ranked 16th in the league). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the key player for the Thunder, averaging 31.4 points per game along with 4.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists. Josh Giddey is another important player for the Thunder as he is averaging 16.0 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 48.2% over the last 10 games. On the other hand, the Lakers have been inconsistent on offense, scoring an average of 116.5 points per game (ranked 8th in the league). They shoot the ball well from the charity stripe, making 80.7% of their free throws (ranked 6th in the league). However, they struggle from beyond the arc, shooting just 34.1% (ranked 26th in the league). Anthony Davis is the key player for the Lakers, averaging 25.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and two blocks per game. D'Angelo Russell has also been impressive, averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for the Lakers. In conclusion, this will be an interesting matchup between two struggling teams. The Thunder has a better offensive game, but the Lakers have a stronger defense. However, with key injuries to LeBron James and Mo Bamba, the Lakers might struggle to keep up with the Thunder's scoring prowess. Our pick is on the Thunder to win this match with a 5.5 spread.

Thunder: Defensive Analysis

The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to take on the Los Angeles Lakers in a Western Conference matchup. As the Thunder look to secure a win, their defense will play a crucial role in their success. Looking at the statistics, the Thunder boast a strong defensive game with a solid Points Against ranking at 19th in the league. However, they will need to be able to contain the Lakers' offense, which is averaging 116.5 points per game. The Thunder's ability to limit their opponents' possessions will also be a key factor in their defense. Their assist to turnover ratio ranks at #8 in the league with 1.849, while their opponents rank at #2 with 1.522. The Thunder's ability to create turnovers and limit their own will be a major key to their success against the Lakers. Additionally, the Thunder have strong rebounding, ranking at 14th in Total Rebounds per Game with 51.6. However, they will need to work on cutting down their opponents' second chance opportunities by improving their opponent offensive rebound percentage, which currently ranks at 27.0%. Overall, the Thunder's defense is poised to make an impact in this game, and if they can execute their game plan, they have the potential to come out on top. As you make your NBA picks and predictions, keep an eye on the Thunder's defensive performance in this Western Conference matchup.

Lakers: Offensive Analysis

The Los Angeles Lakers will face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 24, 2023, in a much-anticipated matchup. With both teams vying for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Lakers will have to bring their A-game on offense to emerge victorious. According to NBA picks experts and predictions, the Lakers have a slight edge over the Thunder when it comes to offense. They are averaging 116.5 points per game, which ranks them 8th in the league. In comparison, the Thunder are averaging 117.6 points per game, placing them at 5th in the league. However, the Lakers are more efficient when it comes to shooting, with a shooting percentage of 47.9% compared to the Thunder's 44.9%. The Lakers' offense is led by superstar Anthony Davis, who is averaging 25.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and two blocks per game. D'Angelo Russell has been a key contributor as well, averaging 2.4 made three-pointers over the last 10 games. In the last meeting between the two teams, Dennis Schroder recorded 26 points in the Lakers' 123-117 victory. The Lakers will need to continue to take care of the ball and limit turnovers, as they average 13.5 turnovers per game. When they win the turnover battle, they have a record of 14-13. If they can execute their offensive game plan efficiently, they have a good chance of outscoring the Thunder and securing the win. In conclusion, the Lakers have a strong offense that has the potential to outscore the Thunder. With key players such as Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell leading the charge, the Lakers will need to play their best basketball to secure a victory. While the Thunder have a solid offense as well, the Lakers' shooting efficiency and ability to limit turnovers could give them the edge they need. NBA picks and parlay experts favor the Lakers in this matchup.

Lakers: Defensive Analysis

As the Lakers prepare to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, their defense will be a key factor in determining the outcome of the game. The Lakers have struggled on the defensive end this season, ranking 21st in the league in points allowed per game. However, the Lakers have shown improvement on the defensive end in their last 10 games, holding opponents to an average of 109.1 points per game. Their success on the defensive end has been fueled by their ability to force turnovers, as they average 6.1 steals per game during this stretch. Anthony Davis has been a standout performer on the defensive end for the Lakers this season, averaging 1.8 blocks per game and grabbing 12.4 rebounds per game. The Lakers will need to rely on Davis' defensive prowess to slow down the Thunder's offensive attack. The Thunder are ranked fifth in the league in points per game and have a number of offensive weapons that could give the Lakers trouble. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.4 points per game and has been a force to be reckoned with on the offensive end. To contain the Thunder's offense, the Lakers will need to focus on limiting turnovers and closing out on three-point shooters. The Thunder average 12.5 made three-pointers per game, and the Lakers will need to defend the perimeter well to keep the Thunder from getting hot from beyond the arc. In conclusion, the Lakers will need a strong defensive performance to secure a win against the Thunder. With Davis anchoring the defense and the team's recent success on the defensive end, the Lakers have the tools they need to contain the Thunder's explosive offense. NBA picks experts and computer NBA picks both predict a close game, so the Lakers will need to be at their defensive best to come out on top.

Injury Report

The Los Angeles Lakers will be without LeBron James due to a foot injury. Anthony Davis is listed as day-to-day with a foot injury and his availability for the game is uncertain. Mo Bamba will not play due to an ankle injury. The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without Chet Holmgren and Kenrich Williams who are both out for the season due to foot and wrist injuries respectively. The injury report could potentially impact the outcome of the game as the Lakers will be missing their top player in James and potentially Davis. The Thunder are also missing key contributors which may affect their performance. It will be interesting to see how the teams adjust and how the injuries impact their overall gameplay. NBA picks experts and NBA picks computer predictions may take these injuries into consideration when making their predictions on the game.

Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers will face off in a Western Conference matchup on Friday, March 24, 2023. Let's take a look at some betting trends for both teams: - NBA Picks Experts: According to expert NBA picks, the Lakers are favored to win this matchup with a -5.5 point spread. - NBA Picks Computer: The computer-generated NBA picks also favor the Lakers to win, with a predicted win probability of 64.5%. - NBA Picks EMP: The NBA picks by EMP also favor the Lakers to win this matchup. - Predictions NBA Today Experts: Today's NBA experts' predictions suggest that the Lakers will come out on top in this matchup. - NBA Picks and Parlay: Betting on the Lakers to win with a -5.5 point spread could be a good parlay option, according to NBA picks and parlays. - NBA Experts Picks Today: Experts' picks for today's NBA games suggest that the Lakers will win this matchup against the Thunder. - Best NBA Bets Today: The best NBA bet for this matchup would be to bet on the Lakers to cover the spread. - NBA Picks with Spread: The Lakers are favored to win with a -5.5 point spread, making them a good pick to bet on with the spread. - NBA Predictions Today: Predictions for this matchup suggest that the Lakers will win and cover the spread. - NBA Picks for Today: The Lakers are the favored team to win this game, making them a top pick for today's NBA games. - NBA Picks Odds: The Lakers are the favorite with a -5.5 point spread, making them a popular pick among bettors. - NBA Picks and Parlays: Parlaying the Lakers to win and cover the spread could be a smart betting strategy. In conclusion, according to betting trends and expert NBA picks, the Lakers are the favored team to win this matchup against the Thunder with a -5.5 point spread. Betting on the Lakers to cover the spread could be a good option for bettors.

NBA Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The Thunder have been playing well lately, winning seven of their last 10 games, and they have a dynamic scorer in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While the Lakers have Anthony Davis, they are missing LeBron James and could struggle to score enough to cover the spread. Look for a competitive game with the Thunder potentially winning outright.

Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder (+5.5)