Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Sunday, April 10, 2011, 9:35 pm Eastern, TV: NBA TV
Opening Line: Lakers -5 1/2
Current Line: Lakers -5 1/2
Opening Total: 191
Current Total: 192
Money Line: LAL -230 / OKC +190

Two weeks ago, the Lakers had pulled to within a game and a half of the Spurs for the top seed in the West. However a four game losing streak has put them in jeopardy of dropping to the third or fourth seed. The 55-24 Lakers are only a game ahead of the Mavericks for third and 2 games ahead of their opponent tonight, the Thunder for fourth. The Lakers lost 93-86 at Portland Friday night.  The Thunder are 53-26 with 3 games to play. Both teams have clinched their divisions and are playing for seeding. While the Lakers have lost 4 in a row the Thunder have won 3 straight and 14 of the last 17, including a 104-89 home victory over the Nuggets Friday night.    

The Lakers lead the series 2-0 against the Thunder but Oklahoma City was down by 4 points or less in the last minute of each game. The Lakers won 101-94 in L.A. January 17 and 90-87 in Oklahoma City February 27. The Lakers have won 12 of the last 15 against Oklahoma City straight up but are only 8-7 ATS in those games. Ten of the last fifteen have gone under the total. The Thunder are 92-73 ATS in all games the last 2 seasons, including 48-35 in road games, and 51-37 versus teams with winning records. OKC is 74-52 ATS as an underdog the last 3 seasons. The Lakers are 83-99 in all games the last 2 seasons including 17-29 at home versus teams gicing up 99 points a game or more.

The Thunder are pretty healthy right now as they tune-up for the playoffs.  Forward Kevin Durant is the leading scorer for the Thunder with 27.8 points and also averages 6.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists a game. Point Guard Russell Westbrook averages 21.7 points a game. He leads the team in assists with 8.2 and steals with 1.9 a game. James Harden averages 12.1 points a game. Forward Serge Ibaka leads the team in blocks with 2.4 a game. Kendrick Perkins leads the team in rebounds with 8.6 a game.  The Thunder are outscoring opponents 104-101 on the season. Oklahoma City is shooting 46.1% from the field and 34.6% from 3-point range. Thunder opponents are shooting 45.8% from the field. The Thunder make 82.2% of their free throws. OKC averages 42.7 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +2. The Thunder average 20.3 assists and 13.9 turnovers a game. They force 14.1 turnovers a game on defense. The Thunder average 8 steals and 5.9 blocks a game.

Andrew Bynum is probable for this game with a knee injury. The Lakers are of course led by future Hall-of-Famer Kobe Bryant. He is averaging 25.1 points and 4.7 assists a game. He leads the team in both categories. Pau Gasol averages 18.7 points and leads the team in rebounds with 10.2 a game. Lamar Odom will likely win the NBA’s sixth man award and averages 14.3 points. Bynum averages 11.5 points and leads the team in blocks with 2 a game. Ron Artest leads them in steals with 1.5  a game. The Lakers are outscoring opponents 101-95 on the season. The Lakers are shooting 46.2% from the field and 35.2% from 3 point range. L.A. opponents are shooting 43.6% from the field. The Lakers make 77.5% of their free throws. They average 44.1 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin  of 2.7. The Lakers average 21.8 assists and 13.2 turnovers a game. L.A. forces 13.7 turnovers a game on defense. The Lakers average 7.4 steals and 5.2 blocks a game.

Both teams need a victory in this game, but the young Thunder need it more to gain some confidence. They know they can play with the Lakers but beating them is a different story. Until someone knocks them off the Lakers are the champs, and that is easier said than done. This should be another close game.

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