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

The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the L.A. Clippers in what could be a first round preview of what to expect in a couple of weeks. The Clippers are fully healthy and this game has a ton of implications.

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

The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the L.A. Clippers on Sunday to open up a two game round trip to the West Coast. This game is one that has a ton of baked in juice to it. While the Thunder have already clinched the Western Conference's No. 1 overall seed that secures them a playoff spot and division crown this matchup could be foreshadowing for the first round.

As of today, the Clippers are the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference and would have to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Play-in Tournament. If the Clippers fell in that game, it wouldn't take much to beat the Kings or whomever winds up as the No. 10 seed to still punch its playoff ticket but set up a date with the Thunder in round one.

This game will see each side fairly healthy. The Thunder will still be without its second best scorer in Jalen Williams but defensive stalwart Lu Dort has been upgraded to questionable. The Clippers are only holding out G League assignments and Jordan Miller from this gaming making Ty Lue's playoff rotation available.

Rightfully, the tilt has a slot on National TV as its showcased on NBATV.

Nov 2, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) looks to pass against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images / Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 3.5-point favorites against the L.A. Clippers, and the total over/under is 228.5 points, According to FanDuel.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

The Oklahoma City Thunder have to flex its defensive muscles in this game. It will be interesting to see how Mark Daigneault deploys his lineup of defenders with Lu Dort potentially back in the fold and a tough task of shutting down James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell on the perimeter with Zubac inside. The Thunder have to bring the defensive juice to this contest.

With that in mind, if the Thunder can be disruptive in the passing lanes it would go a long way in creating separation on the scoreboard and halting the Clippers from getting into an offensive flow.

Oklahoma City has found success from beyond the arc in the last few games, but has to take that shooting surge on the road where historically supporting cast members shoot worse in NBA history. If The Thunder are hitting its spray out triples off the scoring gravity of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander getting downhill, it will be difficult from the Clippers to match.

The Thunder also need a big game from Chet Holmgren who is finding his groove on the offensive end of late. With Jalen Williams still out of the lineup, Holmgren has been able to help Oklahoma City make up that scoring loss.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (56-12) vs. L.A. Clippers (40-30)

INJURIES:

Oklahoma City Thunder

• Lu Dort (Hip) Questionable
• Jalen Williams (Hip) OUT
• Ousmane Dieng (Calf) OUT
• Isaiah Hartenstein (Facial Fracture) Available
• Alex Ducas (Quad) OUT
• Ajay Mitchell (Toe) OUT
• Nikola Topic (ACL) OUT

Los Angeles Clippers

• Patrick Baldwin Jr. (G League) OUT
• Cam Christie (G League) OUT
• Trentyn Flowers (G League) OUT
• Seth Lundy (G League) OUT
• Jordan Miller (Hamstring) OUT

Check out  later today for an updated injury report.

WHEN:

Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM CT

LOCATION:

Intuit Dome - Inglewood, CA

TV/RADIO:

NBATV, FanDuel Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

FINAL WORD: 

The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the Clippers to open up a quick two game road trip before embarking on a long home stand inside the Paycom Center on Thursday. The Clippers will be at full strength with the Thunder still down at least its second scorer in Jalen Williams.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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