Clippers vs. Thunder Prediction, Picks for Tonight
Here's everything you need to know about Clippers vs. Thunder on Thursday, Feb. 22 — our expert prediction and betting picks for today.
The Clippers will travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder as the NBA resumes play after the All-Star break. Let's break down this matchup and get to our Clippers vs. Thunder prediction and pick.
Clippers vs. Thunder Prediction
Pick: Clippers Moneyline
These teams have split their two games so far, but the Thunder's win over the Clippers was a game in which the Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard. These teams have also gone over the total in each of their matchups, with both teams shooting very efficiently in each game.
Focusing on this matchup, the Clippers should have an edge on the glass as Ivica Zubac, Mason Plumlee and Daniel Theis all have massive size advantages over Oklahoma City's big men. The Thunder rank 28th in offensive rebound rate and 29th in defensive rebound rate. The Clippers were able to rebound 35% (86th percentile) of their misses in their most recent matchup against the Thunder, but it’s important to note that backup center Jaylin Williams was out for that game.
Williams' presence should help the Thunder fare better on the defensive glass here. The Thunder will also need to do a better job of limiting clean looks from 3 as the Clippers were able to generate 44% of their shots from 3. They also converted 46% of those looks. Los Angeles posted a stellar 112.0 half-court offensive rating.
The Thunder will need to be defensively if they want to defend their home-court. Oklahoma City will also be incorporating Gordon Hayward into the lineup as this will be his first game available since being traded from the Hornets. Hayward should improve the bench and provide a steadying offensive presence when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out of the game.
The Clippers have looked like the best team in the NBA when they’ve had their big three — Leonard, Paul George and James Harden — on the floor together. When those three have shared the court, the Clippers have an elite +12.2 net-rating across 1773 possessions. Harden is quietly having his most efficient shooting season in over a decade and is shooting a career-high 42% from 3. Harden is tied for the league lead in points per shot attempt (130.4) with Gilgeous-Alexander. Harden should continue to dominate here as the Thunder don’t have a plethora of guard defenders to contain him.
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Clippers vs. Thunder Picks, Odds
| Clippers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+1 -110 | 235 -110/-110 | -105 |
| Thunder Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-1 -110 | 235 -110/-110 | -115 |
I lean toward the Clippers as their roster has had less turnover over the past few weeks and isn’t incorporating any new players into the lineup. We saw the Clippers dominate every facet of the game in their most recent matchup with the Thunder and the Thunder haven't made any substantive changes that make me think this matchup is going to go any different.
