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Carrie Stroup here with your Thunder-Lakers line, coming in at -2.5 in favor of LA. This is Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs. You can get all the latest betting odds on the NBA Playoffs here at Sportsbook, which was offering up to $250 in FREE CASH for qualified customers.
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Lakers -2.5 & 191.5
Opening Line & Total: Lakers -2.5 & 192.5
The Thunder pulled off a stunning comeback on their home floor in Game 2, and now they aim for a commanding 3-0 series lead when the teams head to Los Angeles for Friday’s Game 3.
Oklahoma City erased a seven-point deficit with just two minutes to go in Wednesday’s 77-75 victory. The Thunder’s offense sure wasn’t pretty, missing 20 of its first 27 shots to begin the second half and finishing with a season-low 77 points. But the Lakers weren’t efficient either, making just 38.5% FG, 2-of-15 threes and committing more turnovers (12) than assists (11). Even with Wednesday’s ATS victory, L.A. is 16-28-1 ATS (36%) with one day of rest, and just 10-20 ATS (33%) after an ATS win. The Lakers are not in a good position, considering they’ve lost 17 of 19 games SU when trailing 2-0 in a series. The Thunder franchise (formerly Seattle) has never lost a series in which it took a 2-0 series lead. In the past two seasons, the Lakers are 2-11 ATS after scoring 90 points or less in two straight games, and Oklahoma City is 42-24 ATS (64%) as a road ‘dog in the past three seasons. The pick here is <b>OKLAHOMA CITY</b> to win on the road.<P>
The Thunder have been very comfortable on the road this season, as their 23-12 record ranks third in the NBA, and their 20-15 ATS mark places eighth in the league. The Lakers did a great job of pick-and-roll defense in Game 2, but Oklahoma City also missed a lot of shots it usually makes. The Thunder finished with 42.0% FG, making 6-of-17 threes. They had just six offensive rebounds and nearly more turnovers (13) than assists (15). SF Kevin Durant was the only starter to make more than 40% of his shots, scoring 22 points on 9-for-15 shooting. Durant also added seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. PG Russell Westbrook had an outstanding Game 1 (27 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds), but struggled to score his 15 points in Game 2, making just 5-of-17 shots. However, Westbrook finished with six rebounds, four assists, zero turnovers and a team-best +8 rating. SG James Harden was the only other Thunder player in double-figures with 13 points, but he also committed a game-high five turnovers. PF Serge Ibaka was a shot-blocking force with seven swats to go along with eight points, but C Kendrick Perkins didn’t do much in his 32 minutes, scoring just two points (1-of-5 FG) with five rebounds and zero blocks.<P>
Although Los Angeles has the NBA’s fourth-best home record (29-8), it is sub-.500 ATS (18-19) at Staples Center this season. The Lakers did outscore the Thunder significantly in the paint (46-34) and also won the rebounding battle 41-36, pulling down 11 offensive boards. For the second straight game, SG Kobe Bryant and C Andrew Bynum each scored exactly 20 points. But L.A. as a team managed just 30 points in the second half. Bryant made just 9-of-25 shots, missing all six of his three-point attempts, but he did have four steals and four assists. Bynum had nine rebounds and two blocks, leading his team with a +7 rating. PF Pau Gasol tallied a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, but posted a minus-10 rating, making him minus-37 for the series. C Jordan Hill provided a strong 16 minutes with six points (3-of-4 FG) and six rebounds (three offensive) off the bench, but the rest of the Lakers had dreadful nights. SF Metta World Peace made just 2-of-10 shots and has totaled seven rebounds in the two games. PG Ramon Sessions scored only two points for the second straight game, as he is 2-for-10 FG in the series. And backup PG Steve Blake committed three turnovers and was 1-for-5 (all from three-point range), including missing a potential game-winner with five seconds to play.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
