The Thunder have gotten off to a dominant 7-0 start, looking poised for another championship. However, OKC hasn’t played many other contenders over the past few weeks. Tuesday’s game in Los Angeles will offer up a major test for the defending champions. The Clippers view themselves as title contenders – they’ll have a chance to prove it tonight.
Who will come out on top during this battle between Western Conference heavyweights? The Thunder are 7.5-point favorites (-110) over the Clippers on DraftKings Sportsbook. Oklahoma City is favored at -298 on the moneyline. The total for this matchup is set at 220.5 points.
Thunder vs. Clippers prediction, preview
It’s been an up-and-down start to the season for the Clippers. Offseason storylines aside, the on-court product has looked slightly off. That’s especially true on offense, where the team is averaging the NBA’s fifth-fewest points per game (112.5). Franchise cornerstones Kawhi Leonard (24.3 PPG) and James Harden (23.0 PPG) have both gotten off to great starts. Outside of that, it’s slim pickings. Just five LA players are averaging more than 8.0 points per game.
In fairness to the Clippers, part of their lack of scoring is by design. The team plays at the association’s second-slowest pace (96.77). Terrific defenders such center Ivica Zubac allow LA to grind out wins rather than play up-tempo. As of Tuesday afternoon, there’s a chance Leonard and Bradley Beal sit out the second leg of a back-to-back. If that occurs, Los Angeles will be facing an uphill battle. Kawhi told reporters after last night’s game that he turned his ankle.
Much like Los Angeles, Oklahoma City plays at a glacial pace. The continued absence of All-Star Jalen Williams (wrist) hasn’t helped in that regard. Lu Dort’s status is also up in the air as he deals with an illness. Missing the latter would deprive the Thunder of arguably their most talented defender. Look for Leonard (if he plays) and Harden to take advantage.
Oklahoma City has won each of the last five meetings between these two teams. However, the Clippers have managed to keep things close in most of those games. An offensively-limited affair would also lend itself to a single-digit final score. However, there’s blowout potential here if Leonard does sit out. The All-Star’s health will be something to monitor until tip-off.
Thunder vs. Clippers pick, best bet
Leonard’s injury throws a wrench into projecting this matchup. However, that uncertainty can also be used to our advantage. Both of these teams have gone over 220 combined points in the majority of their outings. Even without Kawhi, I’d trust Los Angeles to reach the 100-point threshold. On the other side, Oklahoma City is healthier than it has been all season with Chet Holmgren (back) back. Expect these two to go over this modest point total.
