Our focus is on dissecting the Western Conference clash at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, ensuring you're well-informed for the Thunder vs. Clippers.
Follow Us
On Tuesday, January 16, the action-packed 2023-24 NBA season unfolds with a concise three-game lineup. Our focus is on dissecting the Western Conference clash at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, ensuring you’re well-informed for the Thunder vs. Clippers matchup with the most insightful pick.
The ongoing regular-season series between Oklahoma City and LA is set for its third and final installment. In a notable December matchup, the Thunder secured a convincing 134-115 victory over the Clippers, playing as 6.5-point home favorites with a total score of 237.5 points. This win marked their fourth triumph in five encounters against LA.
Monday’s games have been omitted from the analysis, and the Oklahoma City Thunder, boasting a record of 27-11, paid a visit to the Los Angeles Lakers in pursuit of their fifth consecutive victory. This past Sunday, the Los Angeles Clippers (25-14; 20-19 ATS) halted their three-game winning streak.
For the Clippers, Diabate will not be playing the game due to a hand injury. Besides, Moon (shoulder injury) and Zubac (calf injury) could also be missing out on the game. As for the Thunder, only Gilgeous-Alexander is questionable for the game due to a knee injury.
On the previous Saturday, the Thunder convincingly defeated the Magic, comfortably covering an 11.5-point spread. OKC showcased accuracy with a 45.7% field goal success rate (8-for-36 from beyond the arc) and an impressive 23/9 assist-to-turnover ratio. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an outstanding performance, scoring 37 points and providing seven assists, while Chet Holmgren contributed with 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
As of Monday morning, the Thunder secured the second position in the Western Conference, narrowly trailing the Minnesota Timberwolves by half a game. Oklahoma City held a commendable standing, ranking fourth in adjusted offensive efficiency with 121.3 points per 100 possessions and fifth in adjusted defensive efficiency with 112.2.
The Clippers compelled Minnesota into committing 19 turnovers, yet the T-Wolves exhibited sharpshooting prowess by making 56.7% of their field goals, including a 13-for-26 performance from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Clippers recorded a 43.4% shooting accuracy from the field, with a notable 17-for-39 display from deep, maintaining a solid 28/11 assist-to-turnover ratio. Leading the charge for LA, Kawhi Leonard contributed 26 points and nine rebounds, while Norman Powell provided a noteworthy 24-point contribution coming off the bench.
Occupying the fourth position in the Western Conference, the Clippers trail the Timberwolves by three games. LA demonstrates offensive prowess, scoring 119.9 points per 100 possessions, ranking fifth in the NBA, while maintaining a defense that concedes 114.3 points per game, placing them 13th in the league. Notably, six Clippers players consistently contribute double-digit points, with key performers including Kawhi Leonard (24.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG), Paul George (23.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG), and James Harden (17.0 PPG, 8.4 APG).
Get the latest from Sportslumo.com by following us on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube
