Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers
Staples Center – Los Angeles, California
Monday, April 16, 2012, 10:35 pm Eastern, TV: NBA-TV
Opening Line: Oklahoma City -2 1/2
Current Line: Oklahoma City -3
Opening Total: 198
Current Total: 198
Opening Money Line: Thunder -140 / Clippers +120
Current Money Line: Thunder -150 / Clippers +130
The 44-16 Oklahoma City Thunder have already clinched the Northwest Division, but have bigger goals in mind. The Thunder, coached by Scott Brooks, lead San Antonio by a game for the #1 seed in the Western Conference and trail Chicago by 2 games for the best record in the league. Oklahoma City has won 4 of their last 5 games including a 115-110 victory at Minnesota Saturday night. The only loss in that stretch came at home to the Los Angeles Clippers 100-98 last week. The Clippers will host the Thunder tonight at the Staples Center.
The 37-23 Clippers, coached by Vinny Del Negro, trail the Lakers by 1.5 games in the Pacific Division but lead the Grizzlies by 2 games for the #4 seed. The Clippers have won 5 of their last 6 games, and 3 in a row including 112-104 over Golden St Saturday at home.
The Clippers lead the series 2-1 this season against the Thunder after last week’s game. The Clippers won in LA January 30 112-100, and the Thunder won 114-91 in Oklahoma City March 21. The two teams could potentially meet in the second round of the playoffs.
The Thunder are outscoring opponents 103-96 this season. OKC is #2 in scoring in the league. The Thunder are shooting 47.4% from the field and 35.9% from 3 point range. Oklahoma City is #2 in field goal percentage in the NBA and #10 in 3 point percentage. The Thunder lead the league in free throw percentage making 80.3% at the stripe. OKC is #5 in rebounding averaging 43.6 a game with a rebounding margin of +2.8 a game. The Thunder average 18.5 assists, 16.3 turnovers, 7.6 steals, and 8.1 blocks a game. OKC opponents are shooting 42.7% from the field and 34.3% from 3 point range. The Thunder are #4 in opponents’ field goal percentage. Oklahoma City forces 14.3 turnovers a game.
OKC forward Kevin Durant averages 27.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks a game. Durant is second in the league in scoring behind Kobe Bryant, and leads the Thunder in rebounding. Point guard Russell Westbrook averages 24.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.7 steals a game. He leads the team in assists and steals. James Harden averages 16.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists a game. Serge Ibaka averages 8.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks a game to lead the NBA. Guard Eric Maynor is out for the season with a knee injury. Little used forward Lazar Hayward is questionable with an illness.
Los Angeles is outscoring opponents 98-95 this season. The Clippers are shooting 45.4% from the field and 35.1% from 3 point range. LA makes 67.9% of their free throws. The Clippers average 41.8 rebounds a game with a rebounding margin of +2. LA averages 21.1 assists, 13.3 turnovers, 8.3 steals, and 4.7 blocks a game. Clipper opponents are shooting 44.5% from the field and 36.8% from 3 point range. The Clips force 14.5 turnovers a game.
Clipper forward Blake Griffin averages 20.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. He leads the Clippers in scoring and is tied for 5th in rebounding in the league. Point guard Chris Paul averages 19.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2.5 steals a game. Paul is third in the NBA in assists and leads the league in steals. Guard Nick Young was acquired from the Wizards before the trade deadline. He is averaging 14.6 points a game. Guard Chauncey Billups averaged 15 points and 4 assists before he tore his ACL. Guard Mo Williams is averaging 13.6 points, 3.1 assists, and 1 steal a game. Forward Caron Butler averages 12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists a game. Guard Randy Foye averages 10.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists a game. Center DeAndre Jordan averages 8.4 rebounds and leads the team in blocks with 2.1 a game.
LA is 31-29 ATS this season and the total is 29-30-1 this season. Oklahoma City is 33-27 ATS and the total is 29-31 this season. The Clippers are 20-8 ATS against Oklahoma City recently, and the last 4 games have gone over the total. The Thunder are 5-0 ATS after allowing 100 points or more, 6-1 against Pacific Division teams, 4-1 as a favorite of 4.5 points or less, 24-9 after failing to cover, 40-18-1 as a road favorite of 4.5 points or less, and 0-4 against teams with winning records. The Clippers are 4-0 ATS after failing to cover, 4-1 as a home underdog, 9-4 overall, and against Western Conference teams.
Both of these teams are safely in the playoffs but are trying to solidify their positions, or in the Clipper’s case improving. The Clippers won last week in Oklahoma City, and I think the Thunder return the favor in LA.
