Thunder vs. Lakers – Game 2 Round 2 NBA Playoffs – predictions: Odds, stats, trends and best bets for May 7

The Thunder take the court tonight in Oklahoma City up just one game against the Lakers but seemingly in complete control. OKC dominated LA in the opener, winning 108–90. The Oklahoma City Thunder look every bit the part of defending champions having dictated every aspect of the opener including the pace and the physicality, and defensive tone.

Even with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander held to a season-low 18 points, Chet Holmgren ’s 24 points and 12 rebounds and OKC’s overall length and interior presence overwhelmed Los Angeles at both ends of the court For the Lakers, the story is simple: they need far more than LeBron James . The NBA great scored 27 points in Game 1, but the supporting cast struggled mightily, most notably Austin Reaves , who shot just 3-for-16 from the field in what was described as one of the most inefficient playoff games of his career. With Luka Dončić (hamstring) still sidelined, the Lakers’ offense was predictable.

This allowed OKC to load up defensively on LA’s role players and force LeBron to shoulder the entire burden. Los Angeles must reduce the number of turnovers, improve their perimeter shooting, and find a way to generate easier looks against OKC’s swarming defense. Sounds easy enough.

With OKC favored in Game 2 by double digits again and boasting advantages in rebounding, efficiency, and depth, the pressure is squarely on L. A. to make meaningful adjustments.