Another big slate of NBA with 24 of the 30 teams suiting up on Thursday including a top of the table clash between the Thunder and Lakers, while we get part two of the Cavs and Heat after their epic overtime meeting two days back.
OKC Thunder @ Los Angeles Lakers
Two of the better teams in the NBA this season. The Thunder once again flexed their muscle on Wednesday with a clinical win over the Warriors, despite missing both Lu Dort and Jalen Williams, while the Lakers bounced back from a bad loss to the Hawks with a win over the Hornets. Can the Lakers capitalise on the Thunder playing their second game in as many days?
LEG 1 - Austin Reaves 20+ Points
No issues playing alongside Luka. Yes, Austin Reaves has popped off without him averaging 40 a game, but with Luka he is still averaging 24.4 points per game.
Reaves has hit 20+ points in all eight games he’s played this season, including the five he’s played with Luka.
Although he’ll get the stringent Thunder defensive wings, the volume and ability to get to the free throw line won’t make this an issue.
LEG 2 - Marcus Smart 1+ 3PM
The addition of Marcus Smart to this roster has worked much better than expected adding a defensive edge to an offensive heavy starting five.
Smart appears to have done enough to lock in starter minutes while LeBron is out, playing 30+ minutes in three of his last four games - he only played the 20 in the blowout against the Hawks.
The former Celtic has hit at least one triple in five of his last six games as a starter, with Atlanta the only miss for the aforementioned reason. He’ll continue to launch from deep whether they’re going in or not.
LEG 3 - Lakers +7.5
The Thunder enter this contest off no rest after smashing the Warriors on Wednesday, and although they had no issue managing minutes they have played below their lofty standards in both games off no rest this season.
The Thunder has failed to cover on both occasions, and from their last eight games, these were the only two games they haven’t covered in, including their only loss of the season to the Blazers.
The way they’re playing outside of the Atlanta blip, the Lakers will be competitive in this.
SAME GAME MULTI
Reaves 20+ Points / Smart 1+ 3PM / Lakers +7.5 = $3.00
VALUE BET
Luka Doncic 35+ Points @ $2.50
If the Lakers are close, then it’s driven by this man. Luka Doncic has had an incredible start to the season averaging 37.1 points per game.
There’s only been two games where Luka has finished under 30 this season, but when he’s played 30+ minutes he’s averaged 39.7 points and has hit 35+ in five of those six games.
Probably a lower line due to the fact they’re going to OKC, but with the Thunder entering off no rest he gets one of his better opportunities to light them up.
