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L.A. Clippers vs. OKC Thunder Betting Picks & ATS NBA Handicapping Preview

Los Angeles vs Oklahoma City NBA Odds

Los Angeles won’t get any time to relax when they travel to Oklahoma City to open the Western Conference semifinals against the Thunder on Monday night. [ad-4468020]

Date/Time: 10:30 PM ET, Monday, May 5, 2014
Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Broadcast: TNT
Spread: -5.5 Oklahoma
Over/Under: 211.5
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The Clippers needed seven games to eliminate the Golden State Warriors on Saturday with a 126-121 margin of victory in the Conference Quarterfinals.

Stephen Curry recorded 33 points and nine assists and Jamal Crawford scored 22 points off the bench, while DeAndre Jordan recorded 15 points and 18 rebounds, as LA shot 55.4 percent from the field.

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Jordan has been one of the main reasons the Clippers were able are playing as well as they are. He is averaging 12.1 points, 15.1 rebounds and four blocks per game. He racked up 106 rebounds during the series with Golden State, while shooting 75.7 percent from the field. He also helped LA to outscore the Warriors 62-38 in the paint in game seven.

Meanwhile, the Thunder also went seven games in their opening round, winning the final two to eliminate the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies tested Oklahoma City through the first five games however, before forward Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook found their stride
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The NBA’s suspected MVP — Durant — is averaging 29.9 points with five 30-point outings, and hit 33 points and all five of his 3-point attempts in game seven of the first-round Western Conference series on Saturday.

In the meantime, Westbrook added 27 points, 16 assists — the highest of his career in a playoff game — and 10 rebounds in that one, as Oklahoma City shot 60.9 percent from the field and was 11-of-19 from 3-point range.
Both the Clippers and the Thunder split four regular-season meetings and each team won once on the road.

Durant, who found himself under scrutiny early against the Grizzlies, averaged 32.5 points against the Clippers this season, while Jordan, who led the NBA with a 67.6 field-goal percentage in the regular season, has shot well versus the Thunder.

Notes

1. The teams split four regular-season meetings and each team won once on the other’s home floor.
2. Durant averaged 32.5 points against the Clippers this season.
3. Jordan, who led the NBA with a 67.6 field-goal percentage in the regular season, shot 75.7 percent against Golden State.

NBA Gambling Trends

  • Over is 8-2 in LAC last 10 overall.
  • Over is 8-2 in LAC last 10 vs. Western Conference.
  • Over is 6-2 in LAC last 8 road games.
  • OKC are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 Mon. games.
  • OKC are 10-4-2 ATS in their last 16 home games.
  • Over is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings.

Matt’s NBA Prediction:

The Clippers will need power forward Blake Griffin to increase his effort against Oklahoma City’s Serge Ibaka, who is a consistent performer, averaging 13 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots per game. If not, they could be on trouble as it appears that Durant, who after a couple subpar shooting performances, seems to be back to his normal scoring self.

Still, Durant will need some better efforts from a supporting cast that includes guard Reggie Jackson, forward Caron Butler and of course Westbrook, who I expect will go off just enough in game to be the difference.

Thunder 114, Clippers 107

By Matt Martz

Matt has returned to CappersPicks.com. The pull was too great. He missed providing his free picks and insider sports gambling analysis to his loyal readers. Please take it easy on him till he gets back into his groove. Cheers!