Lakers vs. Thunder Betting Preview: Predictions & Picks 4/6/25

Los Angeles Lakers (47-30 SU, 42-34 ATS) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (64-13 SU, 49-25 ATS)

When: Sunday, April 6th, 3:30 PM (ET)

Where: Paycom Center, OK, Oklahoma City

TV: NBA

Point Spread: LAL +9/OKC -9

Total: 232

Money Line: Los Angeles Lakers +281/-355

Notable Injuries

Lakers

• LeBron James (Probable) Groin
• Maxi Kleber (Out) Foot

Thunder

• Ousmane Dieng (Out) Calf
• Jaylin Williams (Out) Ankle
• Nikola Topić (Out) Knee
• Ajay Mitchell (Out) Toe
• Alex Ducas (Out) Quad

The Lakers travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder in a Western Conference matchup. The Thunder are favored by 9 points and have a record of 64-13, while the Lakers are 47-30 and are 3rd in the West.

This game will be played at Paycom Center and will tip-off at 3:30 ET. The over/under line is set at 232 points and can be seen on NBA TV.

Recent Form

With a 124-108 win over the Pelicans on Friday, the Lakers improved to 47-30 this season. Playing at home, Los Angeles entered the game as -15.5 point favorites and covered the spread. The total points of 232 went over the line of 222.5.

After trailing 30-25 at the end of the 1st quarter, the Lakers took control by outscoring the Pelicans 37-23 in the 2nd quarter. The teams were even at 31 points each in the 3rd, but Los Angeles pulled away in the 4th, outscoring New Orleans 31-24 to seal the win.

The Thunder fell to 64-13 on the season after a 125-111 road loss to the Rockets on Friday. Oklahoma City, favored by 5.5 points, not only lost straight up but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 236 exceeded the O/U line of 227.5 by 8.5 points.

A 14-0 run by Houston, stretching the score from 46-37 to 60-37, put the Thunder in a tough spot. Despite outscoring the Rockets 32-27 in the 3rd quarter, they couldn’t complete the comeback, as Houston edged them 29-26 in the 4th.

The Historicals

When looking at how these teams have performed against the spread in recent matchups, the Lakers hold the edge at 3-2. However, the average scoring margin in these matchups has been tight, sitting at just 0 points per game. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 2-3. Combined, they averaged 224 points in these games.

Analysis

The Lakers shot 51.9% from the field and connected on 16 threes at a 39% rate in their win over the Pelicans. Luka Dončić led the way with 35 points, hitting four threes, while Austin Reaves knocked down six threes at 66.7%, finishing with 30 points and seven assists.

LeBron James contributed 27 points and eight assists, scoring 14 points in the 4th quarter. Both Dončić and Reaves also added 14 points in the 3rd quarter, with Dončić scoring 14 in the 3rd and another 8 in the final period.

Defensively, the Lakers were solid in the 2nd and 4th quarters, allowing just 23 and 24 points, respectively, to help secure the win over the Pelicans. Overall, Los Angeles gave up 108 points on 48% shooting from the field.

The Lakers limited New Orleans to 14 made threes on 41% shooting from deep. The Pelicans also went 14/22 from the free-throw line. Los Angeles finished with seven steals and two blocks in the game.

Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 33 points and four assists in their 125-111 loss to the Rockets, shooting 61.9% from the field and hitting 66.7% of his threes. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 22 points and eight assists, while Chet Holmgren contributed 20 points, knocking down six threes at a 75% clip.

The Thunder shot 48.3% from the field and made 13 threes, connecting at 37.1%. Williams scored 12 points in the 2nd quarter and 11 in the 4th, while Gilgeous-Alexander put up 10 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters.

Defensively, the Thunder struggled in the 1st and 2nd quarters, giving up 35 and 34 points, respectively, in their 125-111 loss to the Rockets. They tightened up in the 3rd, allowing 27 points, but Houston still shot 48% from the field overall.

Oklahoma City allowed 13 three-pointers on 44% shooting from deep. The Rockets also went to the line 26 times, making 22 free throws. The Thunder finished with 26 defensive rebounds, giving up 14 offensive boards while recording seven steals and six blocks.

Betting Trends

• Although Los Angeles has a straight-up record of 2-3 in their last five road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 120 points per game in these games.
• In their last five home games, Oklahoma City has averaged 113 points per game while allowing 108. The team’s record in this stretch was 4-1 while going 4-1 vs. the spread.
• Looking back on the team’s last three games as the underdog, the Lakers have a straight-up record of 1-2. Their record vs the spread in these games was 2-1.
• Through their last three games as the favorite, the Thunder have an ATS record of 2-1 and a straight-up mark of 2-1.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

The Lakers and Thunder are about to get very familiar with each other, as these teams play today and face each other again on Tuesday. Currently, the Thunder are -9 point favorites at home, but I think LA comes out looking to prove they can hang with OKC. I like Lebron and the Lakers to cover at +9 today.