Lakers vs Thunder Same-Game Parlay for Thursday’s NBA Playoffs Game 2

The Thunder are once again massive favorites over the Lakers in Game 2 on Thursday night. Our Lakers vs. Thunder SGP doesn’t shy away from that big spread, leaning on Chet Holmgren to help OKC cover the chalk. Photo by Reuters Connect.

The Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t blow anyone away in the series opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. But when the final buzzer sounded, OKC beat L.A. by 18 points despite star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander having a quiet night. My same-game parlay for Thursday’s Game 2 won’t stand in Oklahoma City’s way, even with LeBron James doing the lion’s share of the scoring for Los Angeles.

Here are my NBA picks, SGP, and Lakers–Thunder predictions for May 6.

Our best Lakers vs Thunder SGP for Game 2

SGP leg #1: Thunder -15.5

It was a case of “death by a thousand cuts” for the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1. They hung around for a while, but the Thunder kept cashing in on the Lakers’ miscues, and when the 48 minutes were up, OKC had an 18-point win. Los Angeles doesn’t have the offensive firepower or the defense to trade blows with the reigning champs. With OKC waking up from a long playoff slumber, they should roll over L.A. in Game 2.

SGP leg #2: LeBron James Over 21.5 Points

LeBron James put up 27 points in an extremely efficient effort in Game 1, connecting on 12 of 17 attempts. James got whatever he wanted, and OKC seemed fine with that, avoiding heavy pressure or doubles on the Lakers’ star. James will continue to score in Game 2, with projections above 23 points, and his field-goal total is likely to rise back into the 20s as long as the other Lakers are having trouble.

SGP leg #3: Chet Holmgren Over 16.5 Points

Chet Holmgren presents a big problem for the Los Angeles defense. The Thunder’s seven-footer led the way with 24 points in Game 1, many of them on easy buckets and dunks. His size, quickness, and energy expose L.A.’s interior protection, and his ability to step outside and knock down triples is nearly indefensible. He’s forecasted for another 20+ point performance in Game 2.