Last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder achieved the best regular season record in their history, finishing with 68 wins and 14 losses, and secured their first NBA championship since 1979. They began that season with an impressive seven-game winning streak but then showed some vulnerability by dropping two of the next three games.
The Thunder have started the 2025-26 season even stronger, winning their first eight games and 11 of their initial 12. On Wednesday, they face a significant challenge as they host the Los Angeles Lakers at the Paycom Center at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Although the Lakers are without their star LeBron James, sidelined by sciatica, they still hold the NBA’s fifth-best record at 8-3, largely due to Luka Doncic’s outstanding performance. The 26-year-old Slovenian guard has missed four games due to injury but has already scored 260 points this season—a historic figure, ranking fifth all-time for points scored in the first seven games of a season, and the highest since Rick Barry’s 274 points in 1966.
Current NBA betting odds have the Thunder favored by 6.5 points over the Lakers with an over/under of 230.5 total points. Besides this highly anticipated game, Wednesday’s schedule features 11 additional NBA games, four NHL contests, and three college football MAC matchups.
Here’s a quick look at Wednesday, November 12th’s main betting and viewing options:
NBA Showdown: Lakers vs. Thunder
- Time: 9:30 p.m.
- Location: Oklahoma City
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: Fubo (free trial)
The Thunder remain undefeated at home this season (5-0) and have an eight-game home winning streak at Paycom Center dating back to the 2025 NBA Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, averages 32.8 points per game and has scored 30+ points in 10 of 12 games this season. He also holds one of the longest streaks of consecutive games with at least 20 points in NBA history, scoring 20+ in 84 straight games. In their most recent win, Shai tallied 28 points in a 126-102 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 38 points Monday in a 121-111 win against the Charlotte Hornets. With six consecutive double-digit winning margins, the Thunder are favored by SportsLine’s model to cover the spread 67% of the time in this matchup.
NHL Feature: Lightning vs. Rangers
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Tampa
- TV: TNT
- Streaming: Fubo (free trial)
The New York Rangers have struggled at home but excelled on the road with a 7-1-1 record, currently riding a four-game away winning streak. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, is riding high with four straight wins after a rough start at home (0-3). The Lightning have won seven of their last eight games, with only one loss to the league-leading Colorado Avalanche. Brandon Hagel has been a key contributor, recording points in seven of his last eight games. Despite the Rangers’ home struggles, the SportsLine model projects they will keep the game close, covering the puck line 66% of the time.
College Football (MAC) Spotlight: Buffalo at Central Michigan
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Mount Pleasant, Michigan
- TV: CBS Sports Network
- Streaming: Fubo (free trial)
Buffalo, with a 5-4 overall record and 4-1 in the MAC, recently defeated Bowling Green 28-3, marking their third win in four games. The Bulls are aiming to remain undefeated in conference road games for the first time ever. Central Michigan, holding a 5-4 overall record and 3-2 in the MAC, looks to rebound from a narrow 24-21 loss to Western Michigan. Their quarterback Joe Labas boasts a strong home starting record. Six of the team’s nine games this season have had total points at or above 45, which aligns with the SportsLine model’s prediction that the over is likely to hit 66% of the time.
Fan Take: This matchup between the Thunder and Lakers is a pivotal moment early in the NBA season, with two powerhouse teams showcasing MVP-caliber talent. For hockey fans, the Lightning vs. Rangers game highlights the intensity of rivalries and shifting momentum in the NHL, adding excitement and drama that elevate the sport’s profile.
