NBA Handicapping Predictions – Thunder vs Clippers
The Clippers are surging winners of 3 straight and 8 of their last 10 and on top of that they beat the Thunder last week. The Thunder are still in the top spot in the Western Conference, but they only have a slim 1-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs.
Venue/ Stadium: STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA
Time/Date: 10:30 PM EST Monday, April 16, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Thunder -2.5
Over/Under: 198
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. L.A. Clippers Preview
NBA lines have the visiting Thunder as 2.5-point road favorites with a total of 198.
In their last games the Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-100 and the Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors 112-104.
This season the Thunder are 33-27 ATS with an O/U record of 29-31 and the Clippers are 31-29 ATS with an O/U record of 29-30-1.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for 67 points in the loss to the Clippers last week, but they did not get much help. Obviously, these 2 are THE key guys for OKC, but they need some help in the scoring department.
Blake Griffin and Chris Paul lead the Clippers, but they still miss Moe Williams, who is still out with a toe injury. Paul may be the key, as in the win last week he had a huge game and in the first game in a loss to the Thunder he really struggled. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Thunder will need to light up the scoreboard in this game since they cannot rely on their defense, which ranks 17th in the league in opponents’ points allowed.
The Thunder have a tall task trying to contain Griffin, who has 48 points combined in the last 2 home games facing them.
The offense of the Thunder not only is a problem for the Clippers, but they also are a better rebounding team with the likes of Durant (7.9 rpg), Serge Ibaka (7.7 rpg), and Kendrick Perkins (6.4 rpg). Griffin will need help on the boards tonight.
Both teams can run, but since the Thunder have a better inside game it may be to their advantage to slow the pace of the game down.
In some betting trends for this Western Conference match up the Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5, 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, and they have an Under record of 7-3 in their last 10 games.
The Clippers are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games overall, -1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home underdog, and they have an Over record of 4-0-1 in their last 5 home games.
Jason’s Pick: Oklahoma City is favored, but they have not played great against solid teams as of late and I think the Clippers will beat the Thunder for the 2nd time in a week in tonight’s game.
