The Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. Both teams belong to the Western Conference. They are almost close in the standings, only half a game apart. It is a formidable game since both teams are efficient and performing exceptionally well.
On February 22, 2024, the Clippers are heading to Oklahoma City to compete against the Thunder. The game is organized at the Paycom Center. It begins at 8:00 PM ET and will broadcast on BSO and BSSC. Our NBA betting experts have examined the latest trends and statistics. They have also analyzed how the teams' performance conveys their pocks for the game. They provide well-versed after considering roster changes and injuries.
Players' Performance
DraftKings Sportsbook foresees that the Thunder will win by 2 points by recording odds of -120 for the favorite and +105 for the underdog. The anticipated total point expected in the match is 238, with -110 odds for betting on whether it would be over or under.
Paul George's comeback from injury could be a game-changer for the Thunder. After this comeback to the game, he scored an average of approximately 23.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. The Clippers struggled loosely on the road. They lost three of their recent five games away from home. But they represented a potent offense commanded by Kawhi Leonard.
Kawhi Leonard's average score is 24.1 points; he grabbed 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. The Thunder's performance is quite impressive at home. They won 11 out of their recent 12 games at Paycom Center.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's performance was fantastic, scoring an average of 31.1 points and 6.5 assists per game. This performance has positively contributed to the Thunder's recent success.
Thunder vs. Clippers: Match Overview
"The LA Clippers (36-17) are taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder (37-17) in a leading NBA matchup. The Clippers's average score is 118.3 points per game (PPG). On the other hand, the Thunder showcased a better performance, with an average of 120.8 PPG. On defense, the Clippers let opponents score nearly 112.7 PPG, whereas the Thunder only permitted 113.6 PPG.
In their previous encounter, the Thunder won with a score of 120-114. The appreciation of this victory goes to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's performance of 38 points and nine assists. The Thunder obtains a slight edge at home. However, the Clippers are enthusiastic to showcase their championship potential.
Injuries and Lineup Updates
In both teams, certain players are dealing with lineup changes and injuries. Lu Dort is expelled from the Thunder due to his elbow injury. Josh Giddey may not play since he faces an issue with his foot. Besides, Ivica Zubac may not play for the Clippers due to a hip injury. Marcus Morris Sr. is likely to play, although he has a neck issue.
Game Predictions: Thunder vs. Clippers
Experts have made forecasts for this big game after thoroughly going through the trends, stats, and team performances. They consider that the Thunder will gain victory. Some mention that the Thunder will win since they are playing at home, and the team includes Paul George. A few predict the Thunder's win by stating the reason that they have been playing effectively recently and have a powerful defense.
The experts forecast that Thunder will win with a score of 115-109. Moreover, they anticipate that the total scored points will be below 237. Some experts cite that the Clippers will win with a 118-118 score and record over hits at 239 total points.
