Thunder Gameday: OKC Stays in Los Angeles for Bout With Clippers

Facing both of the NBA's Los Angeles-based teams on back-to-back nights isn't an easy task, but the Oklahoma City Thunder already knew that. It just hopes to grab a win to avoid two straight losses for the fourth time this season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder has proven it isn't deterred from playing back-to-back games, but playing the night after losing might be a different beast.

So far this season, the Thunder has played in four back-to-backs, and hasn't gone a single one of them without a win. But playing the second game after a loss has only happened only one other time this season — during the first 10 games — and produced a win in the latter contest. So, the pressure is on. 

A close game in Los Angeles against LeBron James and the Lakers was how Oklahoma City notched its 12th loss of the year, and its reward for that is a return matchup in the same building against the LA Clippers. 

The good news for the Thunder is that its already bested LA in the first of three matchups on the year, which sets the stage for either a further statement from the visitors or a revenge game from the hosts.

Both teams bring a vast array of talent to the table and have a lot to play for, so regardless of how the game shakes out, some good basketball is likely in the cards for the onlooking Crypto.com Arena crowd. 

The Thunder just hopes it emerge as the victors.

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lays the ball up against LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard / © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

ODDS:

The Thunder enters the day as 4.5-point underdogs to the Clippers, and the total over/under is 236.5 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

Normally, playing in a back-to-back sparks a clear tiredness for a team which combatting would sit at the top of the priority list prior to tipoff.

But the Thunder has proven that it isn't normal. In fact, multiple times this season, the second night of the two consecutive games has ended up being the "easier" one for the NBA's second-youngest team — seeing as it recorded a franchise-best 62-point victory in the last second-half of a back-to-back.

So, with the fatigue factor out of the way, Oklahoma City can focus on the element of the game that pushed it to victory over the Clippers in the two teams' last outing: efficient shooting. 

Last time out against LA, the Thunder recorded a shooting clip north of 55 percent from the floor and near 50 percent from beyond the arc. Obviously, that's difficult to replicate, but if it can, putting together another win won't be difficult. 

And being on the road for a second straight game, that's exactly what it needs.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (27-12) vs. LA Clippers (25-14)

INJURIES:

Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.

WHEN:

Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 at 9 p.m. CT

LOCATION:

Crypto.com Arena— Los Angeles, CA

TV/RADIO:

Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

Live Stream: fuboTV (Start Your Free Trial)

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