OKC Thunder vs. LA Clippers: Game Preview, How to Watch, Betting Odds

The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the LA Clippers in the midst of a five-game home stand. The Thunder will attempt to extend its 12 game winning streak.

Nov 11, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and forward Jalen Williams (8) fight for a rebound during the fourth quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images / Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder and LA Clippers are set to face off for the first game of 2025. The Thunder are riding a 12 game winning streak, the Clippers are 5-5 in their last ten games. These two teams have already faced off twice before, with the Oklahoma City Thunder going 2-0.

Oklahoma City is in the midst of a five-game home stand which started Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies and ends following this Sunday's tilt with the Boston Celtics.

Nov 2, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives the ball against LA Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) during the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images / Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 9.5-point favorites against the LA Clippers, and the total over/under is 219 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

The Oklahoma City Thunder have to control the glass and limit second chance points for the LA Clippers. The Thunder are a much-better team that should be able to win the game with a win of the battle of possessions.

Oklahoma City hasn't shot the ball well from beyond the arc recently and if they get the night they are seeking from 3-point land, this game could swing the Thunder's way quickly.

The Clippers lack depth in the lead-guard spot which should lead to plenty of turnovers for the Thunder to take advantage of.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has turned in three 40 point games in the past week, another MVP level performance would easily sink the Clippers.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (27-5) vs. LA Clippers (19-4)

INJURIES:

Oklahoma City Thunder

• Chet Holmgren (Hip) OUT
• Alex Caruso (Hip) OUT
• Adam Flagler (GL) OUT
• Alex Ducas (GL) OUT
• Nikola Topic (ACL) OUT

LA Clippers

• Kawhi Leonard (Knee) OUT
• Max Christie (GL) OUT
• Trentyn Flowers (GL) OUT
• Terance Mann (Finger) OUT
• PJ Tucker (Not With the Team) OUT

Check out  later today for an updated injury report.

WHEN:

Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM CT

LOCATION:

Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO:

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

FINAL WORD: 

The Oklahoma City Thunder are looking to make a massive statement with its 13 straight wins which would be a new franchise-best mark. For a team with as storied as a franchise as the Thunder, this would be massive. Though, the Clippers are 19-14, with a 5-5 record in its last ten games. Despite having no Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have been a tough out night in and night out with James Harden driving the bus.

Up next, the OKC Thunder take on the New York Knicks on the second night of a back to back.

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