NBA Basketball
2026-05-11 - Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NBA Basketball Playoffs Second Round Game 4
Monday 11th May 2026 - Scheduled 10:30pm EST
3:30am (British Time)
Preview
The story of this Second Round Series has felt very similar in each of the three games played so far- the Los Angeles Lakers have hung around for a while and caused problems, but the consistency of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the younger legs have seen them put together enough runs to produce comfortable victories.
That was how Game 3 played out and the Lakers are now on the brink of elimination after the excitement of mid-season about what was being put together.
Injuries are always a factor, but losing Luka Doncic is a monster blow for the Lakers and he is almost certainly going to be missing in Game 4. LeBron James and Austin Reaves are doing what they can, but the lack of a third member of the status of Doncic has made it really difficult when the Lakers run into some cold patches, while the turnovers continue to haunt them.
There has been little wrong with the scheming as the Lakers have managed to slow Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
However, Ajay Mitchell has stepped up into his current role and Chet Holmgren continues to be a real nuisance, while the depth of this Thunder team is underrated.
Wins by 18, 18 and 23 points means the Oklahoma City Thunder have won all seven Playoff games played in this post-season run and they will be keen to end this Series as soon as Monday.
You have to anticipate one last big gasp from the Lakers in the bid to at least force a Game 5 back on the road, but they put in a big effort on Saturday and were still unable to play clean enough for long enough to steal a game away from the Thunder. Outside of a perfect performance and a distracted Oklahoma City team, it is really difficult to see the Lakers putting enough together to avoid another big defeat.
Road favourites of 4.5 points or larger have not had an easy time in recent Second Round Playoff Series, but the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder have both covered in that spot.
The Thunder hit a total in Game 3 which has usually meant the next game has been a struggle to cover and this is a big line, but all of the momentum is with the defending Champions and they should be able to put the runs together to eventually pull clear of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Favourites and Game 3 winners both have solid covering records against the spread when it comes to Game 4 and it is tough to see how the Series shifts for the Lakers having seen what we have in the opening three games.
Prediction
Lay the points with the road favourite.
The Pick :
Los Angeles Lakers 106-119 Oklahoma City Thunder
