The Oklahoma City Thunder have won seven of their last eight, but still the sit 1.5 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. They are in L.A. tonight, and this looks like a spot where they should be able to pick up some points against an inferior opponent.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Russell Westbrook - He leads the team in scoring averaging 26.9 points per game, and he's gone over 30 points in three of his last four games.

2. OKC Defense - The Thunder are still the league's top defense team, with an opponent's scoring average of 94.7 points per game.

3. X-Factor - The Lakers shot a season low 33% from the field in a loss to Indiana in their last game.

Selection - This is a play on the Oklahoma City Thunder (8*)