The Lakers were getting hot at the right time, but the groin injury LeBron James suffered in the team’s win against the Warriors has him sidelined, and Los Angeles is 1-2 since then, with the only victory coming against the lowly Kings.
It won’t get any easier on Wednesday night, when they prepare to play against the Thunder — a team many believe to be the second-best in the Western Conference. Oklahoma City, however, have lost three of their last five games, although they got back on track with a 20-point win against the Mavs on New Year’s Eve.
For the Lakers, it’s all about their young core until James returned. This is interesting because some of these young players may be involved in a trade at some point in the near future, possibly involving Anthony Davis. Josh Hart scored a season-high 22 points against the Kings, and it will be up to him, Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram to hold serve at home on Wednesday. But they’ll have a tall order, as the Thunder have the big bodies to control the glass in the game.
Thunder-Lakers Highlights and Fixture Information
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 2
Time: 10:30 p.m. EST/3:30 a.m. BST (Thursday, Jan. 3)
TV Info: Fox Sports Oklahoma, Spectrum Sportsnet
Where to bet legally on Thunder-Lakers in USA: LeBron James’ absence has swung the odds big-time in this one, and the Lakers are actually 5.5-point home underdogs in this game. There’s a lot of value on the home side, and if you’re looking to wager on them, make sure to check out this handicapping advice website so you can do so.
Prediction: Thunder 110, Lakers 106
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