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The reeling and injury-hampered LA Clippers will get another shot at the OKC Thunder on Thursday. LA, which will be without James Harden (calf), Bradley Beal (hip) and Derrick Jones Jr. (knee), hopes to pull off an upset in Oklahoma City. The Clippers are looking for some payback after losing 126-107 to the Thunder early in October.
Meanwhile, the well-rested Thunder, who have not played since Saturday, are raring to see action again. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. look to erase a 111-109 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the semis of the NBA Cup in Las Vegas. The Thunder will be without Isaiah Hartenstein (injury management) and Jaylin Williams (heel), but are heavily favored to win.
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LA Clippers vs OKC Thunder Preview, Predicted Starting Lineups, Betting Tips and Prediction
Moneyline: Clippers (+950) vs. Thunder (-1800)
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Odds: Clippers (+17.5 -110) vs. Thunder (-17.5 -110)
Total (O/U): Clippers (o220.5 -110) vs. Thunder (u220.5 -110)
Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game.
LA Clippers vs OKC Thunder preview
The Clippers have won just three times since November due to their sloppiness on both ends. Against the machine-like execution of the Thunder, LA must limit its turnovers, battle for rebounds and share the ball.
In the Clippers’ loss to the Thunder, Harden had 25 points, six rebounds and six assists. Jones contributed 16 points, four rebounds and three assists. Without them, everyone must step up.
Kawhi Leonard can’t have a quiet night and hope his team pulls off an upset.
The Thunder have to be straining at the leash after their 16-game winning run ended at the hands of the Spurs. Oklahoma City is heavily favored, but it can’t get complacent.
Turnovers, points off turnovers and fastbreak points hurt the Thunder in the loss to the Spurs. The Clippers are struggling, but these are points the defending champs must remember to prevent an upset.
LA Clippers vs OKC Thunder predicted starting lineup
Clippers
PG: Kris Dunn | SG: Bogdan Bogdanovic | SF: Kawhi Leonard | PF: John Collins | C: Ivica Zubac
Thunder
PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | SG: Lu Dort | SG: Cason Wallace | SF: Jalen Williams | PF: Chet Holmgren
LA Clippers vs OKC Thunder betting tips
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.0 points per game in December. The reigning MVP relishes playing against the team that traded him. Expect SGA to top his 30.5 (O/U) points prop.
Kawhi Leonard is also playing well this month, averaging 24.3 ppg on 45.1% shooting. Without Harden, the Thunder’s defense, the best in the NBA by a mile, will concentrate on the veteran forward. Leonard likely fails to hit past his 24.5 (O/U) points prop.
LA Clippers vs OKC Thunder prediction
Expect the OKC Thunder to bounce back after the loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup on Saturday. They could vent their frustrations on the reeling LA Clippers and win by a margin that beats the -17.5 spread.
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Edited by Michael Macasero
English (US)