Clippers vs. Thunder: Expert Picks and Best Bets for Tonight’s Matchup

Oklahoma City Thunder (5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (2-3 SU, 3-2 ATS)

When: Saturday, November 2nd, 10:30 PM (ET)

Where: Intuit Dome, CA, Inglewood

TV: FDSS

Point Spread: OKC -6/LAC +6

Total: 220.5

Money Line: Oklahoma City Thunder -242/+200

Notable Injuries

Thunder

• Isaiah Hartenstein (Out) Hand
• Kenrich Williams (Out) Knee
• Jaylin Williams (Out) Hamstring
• Nikola Topic (Out) Knee

Clippers

• Kawhi Leonard (Out) Knee
• P.J. Tucker (Out) Not With Team
• Mo Bamba (Out) Knee

In a Western Conference matchup, the Thunder (-242) will take on the Clippers (+200) at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. Tip-offis scheduled for 10:30 ET.

Currently, the Thunder are favored by 6 points and have a perfect 5-0 record. Meanwhile, the Clippers are 2-3, and the over/under line is set at 220.5 points.

Recent Form

The Thunder improved to 5-0 this season with a 137-114 win over the Trail Blazers on Friday. Oklahoma City, favored by 11.5 points, covered the spread with a +23 point differential. The total score of 251 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 220 by 31 points.

Oklahoma City started strong, leading 37-24 after the 1st quarter, but Portland fought back in the 2nd, outscoring the Thunder 44-31. The Thunder responded by dominating the 3rd quarter, 38-17, and went into the 4th with a 106-85 lead, narrowly outscoring the Blazers 31-29 in the final period.

The Clippers fell to 2-3 on the season after a 125-119 home loss to the Suns on Thursday. Despite being +4.5 point underdogs, L.A. couldn’t cover the spread, and the game’s total of 244 points went over the 220-point line.

L.A. started strong, going on a 12-0 run to extend their lead from 22-13 to 34-13. They won the 1st quarter 37-20 and edged out the 2nd quarter 33-32. However, the Suns took control in the 2nd half, winning the 3rd quarter 39-23 and the 4th quarter 34-26.

The Historicals

Through the last five matchups between the teams, Oklahoma City has an ATS mark of 3-2. But, looking at the scoring margin in these games, an average of just 2 points per game separates the teams. Oklahoma City and Los Angeles averaged a combined 232 points per game in these games, leading to an over-under mark of 3-1-1.

Analysis

The Thunder poured in 137 points in their win over the Trail Blazers, shooting 53.7% from the field. They connected on 19 threes, hitting 38.8% from beyond the arc.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 30 points, including 11 in the 1st quarter and 12 more in the 3rd. Jalen Williams added 22 points, making four threes at a 66.7% clip.

Despite giving up 44 points in the 2nd quarter, the Thunder held the Trail Blazers to just 17 points in the 3rd, helping secure their 137-114 win. Oklahoma City allowed Portland to shoot 47% from the field.

The Thunder struggled to defend the three, as the Trail Blazers hit 15 threes at a 42% clip. Oklahoma City sent Portland to the line 31 times, where they made 21 free throws. Defensively, the Thunder recorded 14 steals and nine blocks.

The Thunder put up 137 points in their win over the Trail Blazers, shooting 53.7% from the field. They knocked down 19 threes, hitting 38.8% from beyond the arc.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 30 points, including 11 in the 1st quarter and 12 in the 3rd. Jalen Williams added 22 points, hitting four threes at 66.7% efficiency.

The Clippers held the Suns to just 20 points in the 1st quarter but struggled defensively the rest of the way, giving up 32 points in the 2nd, 39 in the 3rd, and 34 in the 4th in a 125-119 loss. Phoenix shot 51% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Suns hit 18 threes on 46% shooting. The Clippers sent Phoenix to the line 28 times, where they made 23 free throws. Defensively, the Clippers recorded eight steals and eight blocks.

Betting Trends

• In their last five road games, Oklahoma City has averaged 113 points per game while allowing 101. The team’s record in this stretch was 4-1 while going 5-0 vs. the spread.
• In their last ten games at home, the Clippers have a 7-3 while going 5-5 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 106 points per game in these contests.
• In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Clippers have a strong straight-up record of 2-1. In addition, their ATS record was 2-1 in these scenarios.
• As the betting favorite, the Thunder have an ATS mark of just 7-3 in their last ten games. Oklahoma City posted a straight-up mark of 8-2 in these matchups.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

The Thunder will put their undefeated record on the line tonight in LA as they face the 2-3 Clippers. Right now, the Thunder are favored by -6 on the road and should be able to come out of there with a win. However, they are playing on back-to-back nights after taking on Portland last night. I could see this playing a role in keeping this one closer than expected. I like OKC to win straight-up, but I’m taking the Clippers to cover tonight.