The Oklahoma City Thunder will host a contest against the Los Angeles Clippers at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Action begins at 9:30 pm ET on Thursday, Mar. 31 and can be seen on TNT.
The Thunder are hoping for a better outcome after their 88-82 loss to the Pistons on Tuesday. Despite the loss, Enes Kanter earned his 22nd double-double this season with 14 points and 14 rebounds. The Clippers, meanwhile, are coming off a 99-79 win against the Timberwolves on Wednesday. Chris Paul claimed his 36th double-double of the season with 20 points and 16 assists.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, this will be a matchup of two heavyweights. Oklahoma City’s sharp-shooting offense is ranked third in the league in that metric at 52.3%, while Los Angeles is fourth-best in the NBA at making opponents miss (48.2%). The Clippers should also expect to protect the ball well. They rank fourth at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.8%). Conversely, the Thunder force the fourth-fewest turnovers in the league (opponents’ turnover percentage of 12.6%).
The Thunder lead the season series against the Clippers two games to one, including a 120-108 win the last time these two teams met. Russell Westbrook put up a triple-double in the victory, with 25 points, 19 assists and 11 rebounds.
The Thunder come into this game 52-23 Straight Up (SU) and 32-40-3 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 52-23 SU and 32-40-3 ATS against the Western Conference. The Thunder have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 101.8 points during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 110.0 points per game. The Thunder are one of the best in the NBA in terms of free throws made, making an impressive 19.0 per game. The rebounding edge goes to the Thunder in this matchup, who average a league-best 48.4 rebounds per game.
In the other locker room, the Clippers have a record of 35-37-2 ATS and 47-27 SU. Los Angeles performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 7-3 record. The Clippers are the better of the two teams when it comes to assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking third in the NBA at 1.82.
Oklahoma City beat Los Angeles in their most recent meeting this season, bumping its SU record to 6-4 over the Clippers in their last 10 meetings. With a 6-4 record, the Thunder also have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – OKC
Notes
“Oklahoma City is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games “.
“Oklahoma City is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games “.
“Oklahoma City is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home”.
“Oklahoma City is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oklahoma City’s last 9 games when playing LA Clippers”.
“Oklahoma City is 8-16 ATS in its last 24 games when playing at home against LA Clippers”.
“Oklahoma City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against LA Clippers”.
“The total has gone OVER in 9 of Oklahoma City’s last 12 games when playing at home against LA Clippers”.
“The total has gone OVER in 9 of LA Clippers’s last 12 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City”.
On average, Los Angeles puts up 104.5 points per game (ranked seventh). Oklahoma City ranks 14th in points allowed per game with 102.5.
Los Angeles scores an average of 104.2 points per away game (ranked sixth). Oklahoma City ranks 10th in points allowed per home game with 99.8.
Oklahoma City has an exceptional 28-5 record when it gives up under 100 points this season. Los Angeles is 9-13 when it scores under 100.
Oklahoma City is 24-18 when allowing 100 or more points this season. The Clippers have a winning 38-14 record when they hit the century mark.
The Thunder have the second-best offensive rating in the NBA (110.2). The Clippers are also in the top half of the league based on their defensive rating of 101.9 (ranked sixth).
On average, Oklahoma City has 99.8 possessions per game and scores 1.102 points on each possession. Los Angeles has both fewer possessions (97.8) and scores fewer points during those possessions (1.068).
Oklahoma City is among the top-ranked teams based on its average effective field goal percentage of 52.3% (ranked third in the NBA). Los Angeles is an underachieving 3-16 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
Oklahoma City makes an average of 22.9 assists per game (ranked 10th), while Los Angeles makes 22.7 assists per game (ranked 11th).
With 6.1 blocks per game, the Oklahoma City Thunder rank fourth in the league. The Los Angeles Clippers are in the top half of NBA teams for blocking, ranking eighth with 5.7 blocks per game.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the top offensive rebounding team in the league. The Los Angeles Clippers rank 18th in defensive rebounding.
Making 8.5 steals per game, Los Angeles is ranked ninth in the NBA. Oklahoma City has a winning 32-15 record when it allows at least 8 steals.
