NBA Playoff Preview: Lakers vs Thunder

Whispered conversation around the possibility of the L.A. Lakers becoming the first team in NBA history to blow a 3-0 series lead was short-lived, with LeBron James leading a close-out effort against the Houston Rockets—and extending L.A.'s attempt to tread water until Luka Doncic can return. 

Those efforts will prove more challenging in the second round, as it heads into a series with betting favourite Oklahoma City Thunder. While the Lakers got dragged into a rock fight with Houston, the Thunder did what they've become accustomed to and easily navigated a matchup with a gritty Phoenix Suns team.  

Now, after a generous layoff, the defending champions will welcome a King and the Lake Show to Oklahoma City.  

L.A. Lakers 

Despite entering the first round as betting underdogs, the Lakers surged to a 3-0 series lead amid a Kevin Durant injury that held the professional scorer out of the majority of the series. Though Houston rallied, briefly, to make it interesting, the Lakers prevailed and got another victory along the way–the return of Austin Reaves. 

While Reaves will provide L.A. with another much-needed outlet against a relentless Thunder defense, any real hopes lay with Doncic’s recovery. If the Slovenian supernova can return early enough in the series, and at a healthy enough level, to make a meaningful impact, it could stretch to six or even seven games. But, as the series odds suggest, the Lakers face a towering test to extend their season.   

Oklahoma City Thunder 

Whoever claimed the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference was headed into a buzzsaw, with the Thunder not only the league’s best and deepest team, but one that doesn’t fall into lulls. That proved correct with Oklahoma City sweeping the Suns with ease and an average margin of victory of 17.2 points.  

The Thunder’s reward for dispatching Phoenix so efficiently was more than a week off, as they awaited the winner of Lakers-Rockets. Though James has continued to lay a smackdown on Father Time and lead the Lakers in Doncic’s absence, it’s difficult to imagine Oklahoma City being stretched much further than it was for Phoenix. With a considerable edge on offense, defensively, and in depth, OKC can make quick work of L.A. and enjoy another layoff before its second straight Western Conference Finals.        

NBA Betting Series Odds  

Series odds at BET99 - Lakers (+900) / Thunder (-2000) 

Series handicap at BET99 - Lakers +2.5 (+220) / Thunder -2.5 (-280) 

Series total games at BET99 - Over 5.5 (+220) / Under 5.5 (-280) 

Ready to bet on the NBA playoffs? Click here to see all NBA playoff odds at BET99. 

Odds as of May 4, 2026.