Thunder-Lakers Betting Line January 8

Gambling911.com has your Thunder-Lakers betting line for Friday night.  Oklahoma City -14.5, Total: 210.5

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (25-11) at LOS ANGELES LAKERS (8-29)

The Thunder will be going for their second straight victory when they face a tired Lakers team in Los Angeles on Friday.

Oklahoma City hosted Memphis on Wednesday and absolutely dominated the Grizzlies, winning 112-94 as a nine-point home favorite. The Thunder have now won five of their past six games and a remarkable 14 of their past 17 as well. They are, however, just 4-6 ATS in their past 10 games.

The Lakers, meanwhile, have now lost two straight games after a 118-115 loss in Sacramento on Thursday. They are doing well ATS, though. Los Angeles has covered in five of its past six games, but the team has not had success against the Thunder in recent years.

Oklahoma City is 8-1 SU and 6-3 ATS versus Los Angeles over the past three seasons and the team’s average margin of victory over the Lakers in two meetings this season is 37.5 points. The Lakers will be hoping to keep this game closer, but fatigue from Thursday night’s contest could end up being a factor in this one.

One thing worth noting in this game is that Los Angeles is a lousy 1-5 ATS when coming off of a division game this season. The Lakers are also just 2-6 ATS after scoring 105 points or more this season. The Thunder will be at full strength coming into this game, but the Lakers may be without PG D’Angelo Russell (Ankle), who is listed as questionable.

SF Kevin Durant (26.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.4 BPG) was considered unlikely to play against the Grizzlies last game, but he suited up and really played incredible for Oklahoma City. Durant finished the game with 26 points and 17 boards and now faces a Lakers team that was no match for him and the Thunder in the past few meetings. In the last two games against the Lakers, Durant averaged 21.5 PPG and 7.5 RPG on a remarkable 63.6% shooting from the field. He should have no trouble scoring on Kobe Bryant, who is likely going to spend plenty of time guarding him in this one.

PG Russell Westbrook (25.2 PPG, 9.4 APG, 6.8 RPG, 2.5 SPG) should also have no problem dominating this game. Westbrook’s athleticism is something that nobody in the league can match and the Lakers are a poor defensive team, especially on the perimeter. He’ll attack the basket and look to find his teammates for open shots in this one. He’s been very unselfish over the past few games, handing out double-digit assists in two of the past four contests.

SG Dion Waiters (9.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG) is a player to keep an eye on as well for Oklahoma City. Waiters looked excellent against Memphis on Wednesday, finishing with 15 points and three assists on 6-for-9 shooting from the field. He should bring some momentum into this game.

The Lakers were down 27 points against the Kings, but their young trio of PG D’Angelo Russell (12.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.2 SPG), SG Jordan Clarkson (15.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.1 SPG) and PF Julius Randle (10.9 PPG, 9.6 RPG) brought them all the way back. The Lakers eventually had a one-point lead in the final minute before the Kings would take the lead for good.

Russell played his best game as a pro, pouring in 27 points on an efficient 11-for-16 shooting from the field. He did badly twist his ankle and is now questionable for this game. Clarkson, meanwhile, added 15 points, five boards and four assists in the game. He could be in for an expanded role if Russell can’t go in this one and will also be spending a lot of time guarding Westbrook on Friday. If he can hold his own in that matchup then the Lakers may be able to pull of an upset.

Randle didn’t shoot the ball well against the Kings, but he impacted the game with his 10 rebounds. He brought a ton of energy and must do that again against the Thunder.

SG Kobe Bryant (17.6 PPG) looked impressive in his 31 minutes against Sacramento, pouring in 28 points on 10-for-18 shooting from the field. He was efficient, but Byron Scott opted to sit him in favor of the young guys down the stretch. Bryant had 19 points against the Thunder earlier in the year, but he was 7-for-22 from the field in that game and that type of inefficient play will not help the Lakers on Friday.

- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter