The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers matchup for the first of a two-game series on Friday in Staples Center. With that said, it’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Thunder-Clippers prediction and pick.
The Thunder hold an overall record of 6-7, but they are 7-6 against the spread. Oklahoma City is coming off a loss to the Denver Nuggets.
Meanwhile, the Clippers stand at 11-4 overall and are 9-6 against the spread. In LA's most recent game, they blew out the Sacramento Kings .
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Thunder-Clippers NBA odds.
NBA Odds: Thunder-Clippers Odds
Los Angeles Clippers -13.5 (-110)
Oklahoma City Thunder +13.5 (-110)
Over 220 Points (-112)
Under 220 Points (-108)
Why The Thunder Could Cover The Spread
As hot as the Clippers have been, they haven't been lights out as heavy favorites.
Los Angeles is only 2-2 against the spread when they are double-digit favorites. They covered most recently as 11-point favorites against the Kings, but they fell well short of covering in back-to-back NBA games against the Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans.
If there is a glimmer of light for the Thunder here, it can be found in the Clippers' 3-point defense.
While the Los Angeles defense has definitely been phenomenal, the 3-pointer has stung them on more than one occasion. The Clippers are in the bottom half of the NBA in both 3-pointers allowed and opponent 3-point percentage.
The Thunder will need their shooters to step up if they want to hang around in L.A. Players like Luguentz Dort and George Hill have to drill their triples to keep this game competitive.
OKC will push the pace and try to keep the Clippers offensive juggernaut off-balance. If they can keep Kawhi Leonard and Paul George from wearing down the defense play after play, they'll have a chance.
Why The Clippers Could Cover The Spread
Looking at OKC's most recent games, they have not fared well as heavy underdogs.
On spreads of nine points or higher, the Thunder are 1-3. OKC has lost by double-digits in four of their last five games.
While the Thunder have been getting blown out, the Clippers have been obliterating teams. Los Angeles is 5-0 in their last five, and their average margin of victory in those wins is 19.6 points.
For the Thunder to stay in this game, they'll need to get easy buckets. OKC's offense is one of the worst in the NBA, and the only team they've outscored is the Washington Wizards. The problem for them is the Clippers don't give up easy points.
Los Angeles is one of the best teams in the NBA at cleaning the boards, allowing the third least offensive rebounds. Oklahoma City doesn't get to the free throw line often and is in the bottom third of the league in free throws attempted.
Without easy stick backs or points at the line, the Clips could blow this game open early.
Additionally, the Los Angeles offense has been on fire lately. They lead the league in both field goal and 3-point percentage, and they haven't scored less than 110 points in their last five games.
Thirteen points is a lot of points, but if any offense is capable of eclipsing it quickly right now, it's the Clippers.
Final Thunder-Clippers Prediction & Pick
The Thunder do not have the weapons to keep up with a Clippers team that has been rolling.
The Clippers will dominate this game on both ends, and I think it could get out of hand quickly in Los Angeles. I'll take the Clips to cover the large spread and continue their dominant run.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: LAC 124, OKC 97
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