It’s a battle of two struggling teams as the Oklahoma City Thunder (1-5 SU, 2-4 ATS) roll into Los Angeles to take on the Clippers (1-4, 2-3) Monday night. The Clippers will look to end a two-game skid while the Thunder will try to get back into the win column after a loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
- Date/Time: November 1, 10:30 p.m. ET
- Arena: Staples Center
- TV Coverage: Bally Sports SoCal, Bally Sports Oklahoma
- Sportsbook Odds: Clippers -11 | O/U 214 (Line History)
- Thunder vs Clippers Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Clippers opened as 11-point home favorites over the lowly Thunder. The total was set at 214 points with the UNDER going 6-4 in the last 10 meetings between the two teams.
Oklahoma City News & Notes
The Thunder were projected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA this season and they’ve certainly lived up to the billing so far. Their offense (97.2 points per game) ranks 29th in the league while their defense (111.7 points against per game) isn’t much better, ranking 21st.
They were pummelled by the Warriors by a score of 103-82 in their last game – their worst offensive performance of the season – as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander topped the team with just 15 points. Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder in scoring on the season, averaging 22 points per game, but the point guard doesn’t have much of a supporting cast around him.
Los Angeles News & Notes
The Clippers have struggled without Kawhi Leonard, who remains out indefinitely following offseason knee surgery. Paul George has upped his game, averaging 27.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.4 steals through the first five games, but it hasn’t been enough to carry the team to success so far.
Los Angeles has dropped consecutive outings against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers. The most recent 111-92 loss to Portland was a microcosm of the season: George put up 42 points while the next-highest scorer, Luke Kennard, dropped just 16.
Along with Leonard, Serge Ibaka (back) and Marcus Morris (knee) are also out for Monday’s contest.
How Oklahoma City Will Cover
Los Angeles has sputtered out of the gate and this may be Oklahoma City’s chance to pick up a rare win. It’s obviously a long shot but if Gilgeous-Alexander can put up 30-plus points and the defense can at least partially contain George, the Thunder have a chance to cover the spread.
How Los Angeles Will Cover
You know George will show up – and that itself may be enough to beat the Thunder – but it would be nice to see him get some support. The Clippers defense has been solid at 104.8 points against per game (11th) and it’ll look even stronger against a weak Thunder attack.
Computer Pick: Clippers -11
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Buy Sports Picks Now- LA is 6-0 in its last 6 home games vs OKC.
- OKC is 1-5 as the underdog.
- The UNDER is 4-1 in LA’s last 5 games.
