The Los Angeles Clippers (39-20) will be at home when they face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder (42-18). Action gets underway at 10:30 pm ET on Wednesday, Mar. 2 and will air on ESP, PRI and FxK.
The Clippers defeated the Nets 105-95 on Monday. Chris Paul played a key role, recording 23 points and 12 assists to notch his 27th double-double of the season. The Thunder, meanwhile, are coming off a 131-116 win against the Kings on Monday. They were carried by Russell Westbrook who recorded his ninth triple-double of the season. He elevated his game, recording 20 points, 15 assists, and 13 rebounds.
Over the last five games, Paul has really been playing well for the Clippers. During that stretch, he has averaged 24.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 11.0 assists, 2.2 steals, and 2.4 three-pointers.
Los Angeles should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. They rank fifth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.9%). Meanwhile, the Thunder force the fourth-fewest turnovers in the league (12.9%). Also, the sharp-shooting offense of the Thunder ranks third in effective field goal percentage at 52.5%, while the Clippers are fifth-best in the league at forcing opponents’ misses (48.1%).
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Thunder won the first game 100-99. Paul had a double-double in the defeat with 32 points and 10 assists.
The Clippers enter the game with records of 39-20 Straight Up (SU) and 29-28-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 39-20 SU and 29-28-2 ATS against the Western Conference. Over their past 10 games, Los Angeles’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 114.2 points per game, well over their season average of 105.0. The Clippers, sporting the fourth-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the NBA (1.78), have proven themselves to be an extremely efficient offensive team. Los Angeles’s defense is doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 111.0 points per game, well above their season average of 100.2.
Across the court, the Thunder head into the game with records of 24-34-2 ATS and 42-18 SU. When traveling to play against teams in the Western Conference, Oklahoma City has a record of SU, but only 9-18 ATS. The Thunder are getting to the foul line at a high rate. Their 1,184 free throws made ranks fourth in the NBA. The Thunder are a force on the boards, grabbing an average of 47.7 rebounds per game. One advantage for the Thunder could be Los Angeles’s high fouls per game average of 22.7.
Oklahoma City beat Los Angeles in their most recent meeting this season, bumping its SU record over the last 10 meetings to 6-4. With a 6-4 record, the Thunder also have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – OKC
Notes
Los Angeles has allowed an average of 100.2 points per game this season. Oklahoma City averages 110.3 points per game, ranking the team second in scoring.
On average, Los Angeles allows 98.8 points per home game. Oklahoma City averages 112.5 points per away game, ranking the team second in scoring.
Oklahoma City has an outstanding 23-2 record when it gives up under 100 points this season. Los Angeles is 7-9 when it puts up under 100.
When the Oklahoma City Thunder allow at least 100 points they are 19-16, while the Los Angeles Clippers are 32-11 when they reach the century mark.
The Thunder have the second-best offensive rating in the NBA (110.6). The Clippers are also in the top half of the league based on their defensive rating of 101.3 (ranked seventh).
Oklahoma City has an average field goal percentage of 47.7% (ranked third). Los Angeles is an abysmal 2-10 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Los Angeles Clippers average 26.0 three point attempts per game, and the Oklahoma City Thunder attempt 22.0 per game. When going for at least 25 three pointers in a game this season, both teams have winning records; Los Angeles is 21-13 and Oklahoma City is 13-6.
The Los Angeles Clippers, with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.78, rank fourth in the NBA. The Oklahoma City Thunder have a lower A/TO (1.51), ranking 21st.
The Los Angeles Clippers rank 25th in offensive rebounding, while the Oklahoma City Thunder rank fourth in defensive rebounding.
The Los Angeles Clippers rank first in steals, with an average of .0 per game. When the Oklahoma City Thunder allow at least steals, they have a solid 42-18 record.
