Just in case anyone was wondering, yeah, LeBron James is a valuable basketball player. The Los Angeles Lakers have sunk like a rock since their superstar was sidelined by a groin injury on Christmas and are in danger of falling out of the top eight seeds in the West. Los Angeles has a tough matchup this week as it hits the road to face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Lakers would have been the underdog in this game even with James healthy, and will now be a significant underdog. Los Angeles is trying to stay above water without James but looks much more similar to a lottery team than one trying to contend for a championship.
When James gets back the team should get back to its winning ways but the Lakers are in danger of falling out of the current playoff picture with a loss to Oklahoma City in NBA betting.
This NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder will be held at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 17th, 2019. The game will be nationally televised on TNT.
We'll have NBA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2019 NBA season.
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Odds Analysis
The Lakers have a record of 23-21 on the season. They have not looked too good on the road this year with a 9-12 mark. Los Angeles is now tied with the Utah Jazz for the No. 8 seed in the West, while Kings, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Mavericks and Grizzlies are all within three games.
The Thunder has a mark of 26-16 on the year. Oklahoma City has won 14 of its 20 home games this year and is currently in third place in the Western Conference. Both teams score at a pretty healthy pace and this one could have a good amount of scoring, which is something to remember when the total is unveiled in NBA gambling.
Key Stat
7. That’s the number of losses the Lakers have suffered since James went down in a span of 10 games. They were right up with OKC and the other Western Conference leaders at the time of the injury but have since slid.
The low point came last time out when the Lakers dropped a 101-95 affair to the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers, who are one of the worst teams in the NBA. Los Angeles was at home and has to be really disappointed it lost that matchup. Kyle Kuzma had 29 points but the backcourt of Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart did not play well.
Ball has been inconsistent as the key ball-handler with James and Rajon Rondo out due to injuries.
Player To Watch
Paul George -- The Thunder has the superior talent, and star point guard Russell Westbrook will likely put up a triple-double like usual. As long as George has a good game, Oklahoma City should roll.
George is leading Oklahoma City in scoring this season at 26.7 points per game. He is shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three-point range. George is adding 8.1 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game on the year. He was rumored to be joining the Lakers this offseason as a free agent but instead re-signed with the Thunder, and now has a chance to deal another blow to Los Angeles.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Lakers are in trouble. James is really going to have to save the day when he gets back because the team could very well be on the outside looking in at the Western Conference playoff seeds. Oklahoma City is the vastly better team and should cruise to the win. Keep an eye on the spread because it could be large, but the Thunder is still an option to be considered in NBA betting lines.
NBA ATS Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder 121, Los Angeles Lakers 103
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