Thunder vs Clippers NBA Handicapping
Allow us to throw some ice water on what has easily been the most successful season in the history of the punch line known as the Los Angeles Clippers.
Oklahoma City Thunder (32-9) at Los Angeles Clippers (32-10)
Tuesday, Jan. 22
Staples Center, Los Angeles
10:30 p.m. EST
Spread – Thunder -1
O/U – 201 at Bovada
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Chris Paul, who has transformed the Clippers from chumps to possible champs, has a bad knee. Occasionally this is not a problem. Without Paul the Clippers snuffed the Grizzlies (in Memphis, no less) by 26 a week ago. Sometimes it is a problem, like last night when Paul limped up and down the court, scoring only four points in a loss at Golden State.
The Clippers will decide at game time tonight whether or not Paul will be in the lineup when the Clips host the Thunder in the biggest regular-season game in the NBA so far this season.
The Thunder come in at 32-9, their 6-game losing streak having come to an end on Sunday in Denver in the second consecutive overtime game OKC has played (Kevin Durant and the boys beat Dallas in OT in Friday night).
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LA is 32-10 after having its own winning streak snapped at four by the Warriors.
In Los Angeles, there’s already talk that Paul could upset the LeBron/Durant applecart and be named the league’s MVP. Unlikely, but there’s no doubt that Paul and Paul alone is responsible for the Clippers’ move to the top of the NBA.
And with James unable to get the Heat to show any interest in playing hard consistently, it could be a Paul-Durant MVP race – with games like tonight’s playing a huge factor.
Paul’s bruised knee is balanced by general fatigue that the Thunder could be experiencing. OKC has played those two consecutive draining OT games on the road, and tonight’s game is the third of a seven-game road swing (Golden State, Sacramento/Seattle and the Lakers are up next). [ad-6571516]
At some point even the best players have to cry for their mothers when the road gets too tiring.
Durant hardly seems bothered by the travel. He stiffed Dallas for 52 and then had 37 more in the Denver game, fueled by a phenomenal performance from the free throw line, where he has made 41 of his last 42.
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Both the Thunder and the Clippers are excellent cover teams. OKC is 24-15-2 against the number and Los Angeles is 25-17. But the difference tonight should be Paul having to play for the second night in a row when it’s clear that his knee is not at 100 percent.
Russell Westbrook will no doubt push the tempo early if Paul plays, which could lead to a high-scoring game. Liking the Thunder to cover as well as the over.
