Thunder Gameday: Oklahoma City Looking To Keep Top Spot in West vs Lakers

As the Thunder own the top spot in the Western Conference, they look to earn some cushion atop the standings with a win over the Lakers on the second leg of a back-to-back.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will continue their west coast road swing by marching into Los Angeles to take on the Lakers. Less than 24 hours removed from grabbing the top spot in the Western Conference by outlasting the Phoenix Suns, OKC will be back in action. 

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as one-point underdogs against the Lakers, and the total over/under is 237.5 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

The Oklahoma City Thunder will have to start fast on the second night of a back-to-back. Fatigue will naturally set in with travel involved in this tough task, with being at a rest disadvantage the Thunder can not bank on a double-digit rally again as they did against the Suns. 

Even though OKC owns the most ten-plus point comebacks in the NBA, they have to avoid letting LeBron James, Anthony Davis and company get comfortable as scorers. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continuing his MVP campaign will be the key tonight. In a big game, against the biggest brand in the sport, on national television, extending the team's first-place cushion despite the travel adversity would go a long way in the eyes of voters. 

Oklahoma City forced 21 turnovers against the Suns on Sunday, and it shows how elite they can be when hanging their hat on the defensive end. With a young versatile team that can switch everything and own the fastest hands in the West, easy points on the road will be key in knocking off the Purple and Gold.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (42-18) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (33-29)

INJURIES:

Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game-day injury report that will release later today.

WHEN:

Monday, March 4, 2024 at 9:30 p.m. CT

LOCATION:

Crypto.com Arena - Los Angeles, CA

TV/RADIO:

Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBATV, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

Live Stream: FuboTV (Start Your Free Trial)

FINAL WORD:

The Oklahoma City Thunder will attempt to cling to first place in the tightly contested Western Conference with a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Up Next, the Thunder will wrap up the road swing against Portland on Wednesday, March 6.

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