Pick details
| MATCHUP | Los Angeles Lakers | Oklahoma City Thunder |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 53-29 | 64-18 |
| Spread | +15.5 -110 | -15.5 -110 |
| Moneyline | +700 | -1100 |
| Total | Over 213.5 (-110) | Under 213.5 (-110) |
| Where | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK | |
| When | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:30 PM EDT | |
| TV | NBC | |
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder duke it out in Game 1 of the West Semifinals at the Paycom Center on Tuesday night.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers came into the NBA Playoffs missing two of their best players which made them big underdogs, but their postseason experience proved to be crucial in their 4-2 series win over the Rockets in the 1st Round. LeBron James turned back the clock to lead the team with averages of 23.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game, Austin Reaves missed the first four games but averaged 18.5 points and 4.0 assists in the two games he played, Rui Hachimura averaged 15.8 points while Marcus Smart averaged 14.7 points with 5.5 assists and 2.7 steals per game. As a team, the Lakers scored 101.2 points per game against the Rockets while shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from the 3-point line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have had the luxury of a full week off to prepare for this series after sweeping the Suns with relative ease in the 1st Round. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 33.8 points and 8.0 assists per game, Jalen Williams is averaging 20.5 points and 5.0 assists per game, Chet Holmgren is averaging 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game while Ajay Mitchell is averaging 15.0 points and 3.8 assists per game. As a team, the Thunder scored an average of 122.8 points per game against the Suns while shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from the 3-point line.
LA v Oklahoma City Free Prediction
The Lakers are still playing without the injured Luka Doncic, while the Thunder have ruled out Jalen Williams with a hamstring injury. These teams met four times in the regular season with the Thunder winning all four games and three of those wins were absolute blowouts, so it’s no surprise to see the Thunder as heavy favorites to start the series. The Thunder are the healthier team, they are fully rested following their 1st Round sweep and I can’t see anything but a comfortable win at home. The Lakers were impressive in their dismissal of the inexperienced Rockets, but the Thunder are the benchmark of the league and I think this series kicks off with a massive win for the Thunder.
