The Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder in a match where Lebron James is expected to make history. This will be the first time this season these two teams in the regular season, the first in their three-match series. Coming into this game, these two teams are from a different result on their previous game. Lakers are from a loss against the Pelicans, while the Thunder is from a victory against the Rockets. These two teams are in a desperate need of wins, as their chances of entering the playoffs is slowly slimming. This meeting will be on February 8, 2023, at 11:00 AM (GMT+8), as the Lakers play as hosts.
These two teams are at the Western Conference, but both are currently not included in the teams qualified in the next round. The hosts are currently at the 13th of the Western Conference. From their 54 games, they only recorded 25 wins, where 13 of those are a win at home. As they return at home, they are hoping to return to winning ways, as they are in-need of wins. Furthermore, the visitors are just above them at the 12th spot of the standings, winning 25 from their 52 games. However, they are not doing well on the road as they won only nine road games out of their 25 games. They can gain confidence from the fact that they are from a win before this match.
Los Angeles Lakers
This game is an important game for the Lakers because of two different reasons. First reason is that they want to increase their chances of entering the playoffs. Currently, they are at they do not belong with the teams who will qualify for the next round. If the Lakers continue to lose in their matches, their chances of qualifying gets slimmer and slimmer. The second reason is that Lebron James is set to make history as the number one in the NBA in the all-time scoring. This one of the records very hard to achieve, although this guy no longer need to prove something. It is just unfortunate that this team is coming from a loss against the Pelicans. Their low offensive efficiency does not help in their goal. Offensively, they are at the sixth with 117.1 points per game, and 27th in defense, allowing 118.4 points per game.
Lebron James continue to lead the Lakers, with 30 points per game, hopeful to finally reach the history-breaking he might achieve. However, it is just unfortunate that he is listed questionable in this game, due to an ankle soreness.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder is currently on a three-game road trip, and they started their road trip with a win against the Rockets. As they are now on their second straight game on the road, they are hoping for the same result. This is a squad who will most likely rely on their offense, which is at their bets this season. In fact, during their game against the Rockets, they scored as over 150 points, a 153-121 win. This squad had an early 19-point lead in the first quarter, and 26 by the end of the first half. On that game, six players scored double digits, which is why it is not surprising that they won that match. They are the fifth in offense with 117.3 points per game, and 20th in defense giving up 115.9 points per game.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder with 31 points per game. However, they have a number of players who will not suit up in this game. Dort, Robinson-Earl, Pokusevski, and Holmgren are all out in this match.
Prediction:
Los Angeles Lakers
Total Under: 122.5
Odds: 0.93
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