Thunder Gameday: OKC Looks to Defend High Standing vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Can the Thunder continue its hot streak on Friday night?

After notching yet another win against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, the Oklahoma CityThunder  have yet another test against a Western Conference rival. 

Alonzo Adams-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 nearly 50 percent from beyond the arc. 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)

---

Want to join the discussion? Like Inside the Thunder on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind our coverage.