Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers 3/8/19: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds
Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder got a much-needed win last night to stop the bleeding and move them back up in the Western Conference. They’ll play their second game of a back-to-back on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Thunder are 40-24 on the season, good enough for third in the Western Conference, moving up a half-game over the Houston Rockets with their win last night. Oklahoma City is 4-6 in their last 10. The Los Angeles Clippers had moved down to eighth in the West, but are now tied for seventh with the San Antonio Spurs with their 37-29 record. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games and have won their last three.
In their last matchup on December 15, the Thunder won 110-104. Oklahoma City was led by Paul George, who had 33 points, and Danilo Gallinari led the Clippers with 28 points.
TV Schedule
Date: 03/08/19
Time: 10:30pm ET
Arena: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Channel: FSOK, FSPT
Oklahoma City Thunder Starting Lineup
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Terrance Ferguson
SF: Paul George
PF: Jerami Grant
C: Steven Adams
Thunder Analysis
Oklahoma City had lost five of their last six before going to overtime and winning 129-121 against the Portland Trail Blazers, who they had been tied with in the standings prior to the game.
The only downside to the win is that it was in overtime and their starters had to play big minutes in the first game of a back-to-back.
“We knew that coming into today. It was going to be a battle the whole game, Terrance Ferguson said. “Everybody stepped up to the plate, everybody put their all in, and everybody left it all on the floor.”
Paul George played 42 minutes but continued to struggle offensively as he shakes off the rust. George had 32 points and 14 rebounds, but he was 7-of-23 from the field and 1-of-9 from beyond the arch. Russell Westbrook scored 37 points and Jerami Grant had 14 points.
Dennis Schroeder was solid off the bench once again with 14 points in just 27 minutes.
Look for the Thunder to try to get up on the Clippers early and then lean on their bench, who didn’t play major minutes last night.
Thunder Quick Links: Thunder Starting Lineup, Thunder Roster, Thunder Depth Chart, Thunder Injuries, Thunder News, Thunder Schedule
LA Clippers Starting Lineup
PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG: Patrick Beverley
SF: Landry Shamet
PF: Danilo Gallinari
C: Ivica Zubac
Contents
Clippers Analysis
While many were quick to count out the Los Angeles Clippers after they traded away several of their best assets at the trade deadline, they have stayed in playoff positioning. They have won four of their last five.
However, none of their previous opponents on this streak have been the caliber of the Thunder.
In their 113-105 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, the Clippers had six players finish in double figures. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has struggled lately, finished with 14 points and four assists in 24 minutes.
“I love that he’s gone through some struggles and had to fight himself out of it, and now he’s playing again,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “That’s fantastic.”
The Clippers were led in scoring by Danilo Gallinari, who had 23 points and six rebounds. Patrick Beverley and Landry Shamet also contributed, but their biggest contributions aside from Gallinari came from their bench, as usual. Lou Williams has 21 points, and Montrezl Harrell added 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Look for Beverley to draw Westbrook tonight, and it’s always interesting when those two face off.
Clippers Quick Links: Clippers Starting Lineup, Clippers Roster, Clippers Depth Chart, Clippers Injuries, Clippers News, Clippers Schedule
Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers Betting Odds
The Clippers are slight two-point favorites to win tonight’s game at home. The fact that the Thunder are on the road and playing in a back-to-back probably affected the spread the most. The Clippers are 18-12 at home this season, while the Thunder are 18-16 on the road.
The over/under is 237.5 points and the Clippers are -130 on the moneyline.
Odds & Line Movement Links: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers, Vegas Odds (All NBA Games Today)
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