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Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction, Odds and NBA Playoffs Game 1 Picks for Today, 05/05/26

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Oklahoma City Thunder

Lakers vs Thunder Pickswise Expert Predictions

Point Spread Pick
OKC Thunder -15.5(-110)

The Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Tuesday night. Although the spread is predictably large, OKC has plenty of advantages working its favor that should allow it to win and win big. My Lakers vs Thunder prediction is for the home team to cover. Like it was for the defending NBA champions against most opponents during the regular season, this particular matchup was 1-way traffic. Oklahoma City dominated the 4 meetings by margins of 29, 9, 43 and 36 points. For those counting, that’s an average margin of victory by a ridiculous 29.3 points per game.

Luka Doncic was on the floor for 2 of those encounters, when the Lakers lost by 29 and 43 points. Doncic remains sidelined by a hamstring injury and does not seem to be even close to returning. Even when Austin Reaves came back from an oblique issue in round 1, the Lakers’ offense still underwhelmed at times against the Rockets. If that continues against the best team in basketball, it will be a short series — and a blowout in the series opener. As the only team in the NBA to sweep in the first round, the Thunder — who disposed of the Suns with ease — had a week to rest for this series. L.A., on the other hand, had a difficult time holding off Houston in 6 games. Jalen Williams is the only notable OKC absentee with a hamstring injury of his own — but even without him, you have to like their chances against a depleted Los Angeles squad. Although I’m never overly enthused by giving so many points in a playoff setting, this is a scenario that calls for an exception.

Lakers vs Thunder Game 1 prediction: OKC -15.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to that number.

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Ricky Dimon
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Ricky Dimon

Since graduating from Davidson (The College That Stephen Curry Built), I have been writing about sports -- just about any and all you can think of! -- and coaching tennis in Atlanta, GA. Beyond the four major sports, I am an avid tennis fan and cover the ATP Tour on a daily basis. If I'm not busy writing, you can generally find me on a tennis court or traveling the world wherever a sporting event takes me. For Ricky Dimon media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.
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