Thunder Gameday: Scorching Hot OKC Visits Los Angeles Lakers

The Thunder will face the Lakers for the second time this season, currently holding split wins over one another.

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers are in very different situations than they each found themselves in last season. 

After reaching the Western Conference Finals and falling short in a sweep to the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers have struggled immensely in retaining its previous success. Although the former champion duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis have kept up much of their individual production, the "others" have been inconsistent to say the least. 

That issue currently keeps Los Angeles out of the playoffs and Play-In Tournament, which was far from the expectation from the off-season. 

The Thunder on the other hand have exceeded expectations.

After receiving a Play-In bid last year, Oklahoma City stands tall at the No. 2 seed in the West. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is receiving serious MVP consideration, Chet Holmgren is undoubtably a top-two Rookie of the Year candidate and rest of the lineup stands among the NBA's most talented. 

Both teams match each other at a crossroads, and it's one that could hurt either side.

Nov 30, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) defends Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Paycom Center / © Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

ODDS:

The Thunder enters the day as 1.5-point favorites to the Lakers, and the total over/under is 237.5 points. 

KEYS TO THE GAME:

Although the Lakers may be struggling as a complete unit, there are fewer duos with more star power than James and Davis. 

Both superstar talents are averaging roughly 25 points per game this season, and remain two of the best players in the entire league. It's a lot to handle for the Thunder in one game, but the likes of Holmgren, Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort are able to match with them in unique ways. 

Los Angeles has struggled from the 3-point line this season, which is quite the opposite story for Oklahoma City. The Lakers are shooting an eighth-worst percentage, while the Thunder is shooting the second-best. 

If the Thunder can take advantage of this disparity, it could be too much for the Lakers to keep up with, preventing them from grabbing a potential win. 

Looking at the perimeter defense of Los Angeles, Gilgeous-Alexander could be in for a pretty laidback night of offense. The Lakers don't have many notable defenders to throw at him, so another MVP-caliber performance could be in the books for the superstar guard. 

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (27-11) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (19-21)

INJURIES:

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

WHEN:

Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 at 9:30 p.m. CT

LOCATION:

Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, CA

TV/RADIO:

Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA TV, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

Live Stream: fuboTV (Start Your Free Trial)

FINAL WORD:

Los Angeles should pose a difficult challenge for Oklahoma City, even if it has struggled to win a significant amount of games this season. Defeating James and Davis will never come easy, especially when met at their home court. 

The Thunder will follow by visiting the Utah Jazz on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 8:00 p.m. CT. 

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