The Oklahoma City Thunder (58-12) will visit the Los Angeles Clippers (40-30) in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The game will broadcast live on NBA TV.
The Thunder are 3-point road favorites over the Clippers on the spread (Thunder -3), with the over/under set at 227 total points. Oklahoma City is a -148 favorite to win outright, while Los Angeles is +124 to pull off the upset.
Let's get to my Thunder vs. Clippers predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, March 23.
Thunder vs Clippers Prediction
My Clippers vs. Thunder best bet is on Oklahoma City to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at BetMGM. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick: Thunder -3
Thunder vs Clippers Odds, Spread, Picks
| Thunder Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 227 -110o / -110u | -148 |
| Clippers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 227 -110o / -110u | +124 |
- Thunder vs. Clippers spread: Thunder -3
- Thunder vs. Clippers over/under: 227 total points
- Thunder vs. Clippers moneyline: Thunder -148, Clippers +124
- Thunder vs. Clippers best bet: Thunder -3 (-110)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Clippers NBA Preview
With a record of 58-12 on the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have already clinched the top seed in the Western Conference. The Cavaliers' recent losing streak has given them a two-game lead for home court advantage throughout the playoffs. However, despite that, the Thunder are not taking their foot off the gas.
The Thunder have won five straight games and nine of their last 10. They have played the last five games without Jalen Williams, who is dealing with a hip injury and remains out tonight. Lu Dort has also missed the last three games with a hip injury, but he is questionable to return tonight.
If Dort returns, expect him to spend a lot of time defending a resurgent James Harden. The Clippers have won five straight games and eight of their last 10, and Harden has been a big reason for their success. In March, he is averaging 27 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 9.6 assists, including a 50-point outburst against the Pistons.
Kawhi Leonard has also regained his All-Star form. In March, he is averaging 24.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 52% from the field and 39% from three. He is also up to 36 minutes per game in that stretch, so he is clearly without limitations. Leonard may present a matchup conundrum for Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault.
Without Williams, the Thunder have had more time to work with their two-big lineup featuring Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. Hartenstein has scored at least 10 points in nine of his last 10 games, including 24 against Milwaukee. He also scored 10 points against Boston, but he did not start and played only 25 minutes.
The Celtics attempt more threes than the Clippers (and most teams), but Clippers head coach Ty Lue has been running a lineup with four perimeter players around Ivica Zubac and will not hesitate to go small, even without Zubac.
Thunder vs Clippers Betting Predictions
Both teams enter tonight's game in great form, but head-to-head, the Thunder have won the first three meetings this season and eight of the last 10 overall. Leonard did not play in the first three matchups this season, but he has appeared in some of the last 10 meetings. The Thunder are also 7-2-1 against the spread in that span.
Even without Williams, the Thunder swept their last road trip with wins over the Celtics, Pistons, and Bucks, winning all three games by at least six points. They are also 18-11-2 ATS as a road favorite. At -3, I have to back the Thunder at this price.
However, that does not mean I expect the Clippers to go down quietly, especially Harden and Leonard. Harden has scored at least 20 points in 10 straight games, while Leonard has reached that mark in nine of his last 10. Both are also playing over 35 minutes per game.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will look to counter as he has all season. The MVP favorite has scored 30 points in nine of his last 10 games. He has also hit the 30-point mark in five of his last eight games against the Clippers, finishing with 29 in another.
The Thunder have several players capable of stepping up on both ends of the floor, but one player I’m particularly watching is Cason Wallace. The second-year guard has scored at least eight points in eight of his last 10 games and recorded a steal in nine of his last 10. He should see significant minutes tonight defending Harden, Leonard, or Norman Powell.
Thunder vs Clippers Best Bet
- Thunder -3 (-110)
Same Game Parlay Picks
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30 Points
- James Harden 20 Points
- Kawhi Leonard 20 Points
- Cason Wallace 8 Points
Parlay Payout: +430
Clippers vs. Thunder Betting Trends
