Thunder vs Clippers Game Analysis and Pick
by Dave D
Two teams that were horrible last season are now headed in distinctly different directions, as the rising Oklahoma City Thunder face the lottery-bound Los Angeles Clippers.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers
Friday, March 5th – 10:35 PM ET
Staples Center, Los Angeles
Basketball Betting Spread: Thunder -5
The Week That Was: Thunder
Coach Scott Brooks’ ballclub is rolling right along in pursuit of the Oklahoma City franchise’s first-ever playoff berth. The past week wasn’t perfect, but the Thunder won every game they were expected to claim.
The party started for Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, Feb. 26, as Brooks’ boys bashed the Minnesota Timberwolves, 109-92. Guard Russell Westbrook dominated the Timberwolves by scoring 18 points, handing out 15 assists, and pulling down eight rebounds.
On Sunday, Feb. 28, Oklahoma City trounced Toronto, 119-99, as six Thunder players scored in double figures while the Raptors were hurt by the absence of star big man Chris Bosh. Kevin Durant led Oklahoma City with 29 points.
On Tuesday, March 2, the Thunder eased past Sacramento, 113-107. Westbrook and Durant have both had their moments this past week, and in this six-point win against the Kings, they shared the stage, combining for 69 points (39 by Durant). Westbrook added 13 assists and Durant snagged 10 boards to propel the former Seattle Sonics to another win.
On Wednesday, March 3, the magic – and energy – ran out for the Thunder, as they fell hard in Denver, 119-90. Durant missed multiple layups and scored only 19 points.
The Week That Was: Clippers
Last Friday, Feb. 26, the Clips got crushed at Phoenix, 125-112. Robin Lopez and Goran Dragic – hardly two household names – combined to score 62 points for the Suns, who won their seventh straight game against Los Angeles.
On Sunday, Feb. 28, Los Angeles Clippers couldn’t even climb past a lowly Sacramento squad. L.A. fell in California’s capital city, 97-92, as the homestanding Kings limited the Clippers to 37-percent shooting and gained 25 points on 15 Clipper turnovers. Big man Chris Kaman scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for L.A., but that effort wasn’t enough in a discouraging road loss.
On Monday, March 1, this beleaguered franchise found its one bright spot of the week, as the Clips returned home and upset the Utah Jazz, 108-104. Los Angeles shot 48 percent from the field, hit 10 of 22 3-pointers, and converted 26 of 29 foul shots in a very efficient outing.
On Wednesday, March 3, it was back to reality – and those nagging Phoenix Suns – for the Clips, who lost their eighth straight contest against their desert-based tormentor, 127-101. Amare Stoudemire scored 30 points and snared 14 boards to lead the Suns.
Outlook & Pick
If Oklahoma City had played a more competitive game at Denver on Wednesday night, perhaps the Thunder would be ripe for a letdown on a trip to the West Coast. However, since Oklahoma City got wiped out in a non-competitive game that featured only 19 points from superstar Kevin Durant, expect No. 35 to light up the scoreboard for the visitors. Durant couldn’t have played any worse than he did against the Nuggets, so the Clippers should be in big trouble this Friday night at Staples Center.
Basketball Betting Pick: Thunder
