Oklahoma City vs Los Angeles NBA Odds
The Oklahoma City Thunder roared back to even the series at one game apiece after shutting down the Clippers offense in game two on Tuesday, and will look to take at least one of two in Los Angeles when the two meet on Friday in game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals. [ad-4468020]
Date/Time: 10:30 p.m. ET, Friday, May 9, 2014
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Broadcast: ESPN
Spread: -4 Oklahoma
Over/Under: 214.5
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Oklahoma City forward and this year’s league MVP Kevin Durant lived up to his billing in Tuesday’s 112-101 win, posting a double-double that included 32 points, 12 rebounds and nine helpers. Point guard Russell Westbrook was also a force and recorded his third triple-double of the postseason.
For the first time in the series the Thunder actually looked good, shooting 50.6 percent from the field while dominating the Clippers on the boards, grabbing 52 rebounds compared to the Clippers 36.
Check out our in-house Handicapper!!! Buy Razor Ray’s NBA Season Package Today!
Nevertheless, the Thunder still have to be concerned that about their bench, as Durant and Westbrook are doing much of the scoring, while the all of the OKC reserves scored just 13 points in game two.
[ad-6571516]
Meanwhile, the Clippers demise in game two could be blames on 14 turnovers and their inability to slow down Durant or Westbrook, while shooting the ball just 44.6 percent from the field in the game two loss.
LA has to be disappointed by center DeAndre Jordan’s performance, as once again he was a non-factor on Tuesday.
The Clippers big man is averaging just seven points and 6.5 boards, after averaging 15.1 rebounds in the first round against Golden State.
Other LA disappointments were power forward Blake Griffin, who shot under 40 percent for the second time in the playoffs and point guard Chris Paul who was unable to follow up his outstanding game one performance, when he went 8-of-9 from 3-point range, scoring 32 points.
Griffin has yet to post a double-double in nine postseason games.
The Clippers now return home, a place where they average 111.6 points on 48.7 percent shooting.
Notes:
1. Clippers SG Jamal Crawford won the league’s Sixth Man Award on Thursday for the second time in his career.
2. The Thunder outrebounded the Clippers by an astounding 99-67 over the first two games.
3. Los Angeles C DeAndre Jordan has been a nonfactor through the first two games (averages of seven points, 6.5 boards and zero blocked shots) after putting up 12.1 points, 15.1 rebounds and four blocks in the first round against Golden State.
NBA Gambling Trends:
- LAC are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 Fri. games.
- Over is 9-3 in LAC last 12 overall.
- Over is 9-3 in LAC last 12 vs. Western Conference.
- Over is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings.
Matt’s NBA Prediction:
The Thunder got the best of the Clippers in game two but will now have the arduous task of betting LA on their home court.
If the Clippers can going offensively, and actually show up, they should be able retake control of the series by snatching a close win at the Staples Center.
Clippers 114, Thunder 111
