Thunder Host Clippers in Potential Conference Finals Preview
Clippers vs Thunder Odds: Line Shrinks to OKC -2
The Los Angeles Clippers have separated themselves as a legitimate NBA Finals contender. Are the Oklahoma City Thunder on that same level?
Some might say yes, while others still aren’t sure. Regardless, both teams look poised to go on deep postseason runs. Thursday (8 p.m. ET), the unofficial start of the NBA’s second half, the Clippers and Thunder will square off at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder opened as 2.5-point favorites and were quickly bet down to -2 on the NBA point spread. They are also -122 on the moneyline, with the Clippers priced +102 to win outright. The point total, meanwhile, has dropped from 239.5 to 238, with a slight lean to the Under at -115 odds.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down both NBA teams and assess the Clippers vs Thunder odds.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Oklahoma City Thunder 
Day/Time:
Location: Paycom Center; Oklahoma City
Los Angeles Clippers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends
The Los Angeles Clippers are 29-24 ATS, including 15-12 away from home. Meanwhile, the Clippers’ totals have trended toward the Under. The Under has hit in 29 of the Clippers’ 53 NBA games, including 15 of 27 on the road. The Oklahoma City Thunder have fared much better ATS, going 33-20-1. As for the Over/Under, their record is 30-22-2.
Be sure to remember these betting trends when assessing the Clippers vs Thunder odds.
All’s Well with Clippers
The Clippers rolled into the All-Star break at 36-17, winners of 11 of their last 14 games. They’re coming off a 130-125 victory over Golden State last Wednesday in which James Harden scored 26 points to go with eight rebounds and seven assists.
Los Angeles moved to 33-15 since acquiring Harden, a 10-time All-Star, in a blockbuster trade from Philadelphia, and oddsmakers now list them as overwhelming -2500 favorites to win the Pacific Division. They currently own a four-game lead for first on Phoenix.
The trio of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Harden rivals any in the NBA, and the Clippers have leaned on them for 54.1% of their scoring. They also have strong complementary NBA players in Norman Powell and Russell Westbrook. As such, Los Angeles ranks second in the league in offensive efficiency, averaging 117.9 points per every 100 possessions.
Los Angeles is also a +250 favorite to win the Western Conference and +500 to win the NBA title, the third-shortest odds on the board behind Boston (+260) and Denver (+475).
This is the Clippers’ 10th time as a betting underdog this NBA season. They are just 3-6 OU and 2-7 ATS in the previous nine, with two of those victories coming within the last month. Despite that, their 29-24 record ATS is among the best in the league. Keep that in mind when analyzing the Clippers vs Thunder odds.
Thunder Here to Stay
Many billed Oklahoma City as a dark horse in the Western Conference, and there is no mystery as to why. The Thunder have won five of their last seven games to improve to 37-17. They entered the All-Star break just 1.5 games behind Minnesota for the conference’s No. 1 seed.
Oklahoma City is coming off a 127-113 victory over Orlando on Feb. 13 in which Jalen Williams poured in 33 points, giving him 65 over the last two games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 32 points.
Oddsmakers are still somewhat skeptical of Oklahoma City’s ability to outlast more established contenders like Denver and Phoenix, pricing the Thunder +950 to win the West and +2500 to win the NBA Finals, one of nine teams with 25/1 title odds or better.
The question will be whether they can cash in on those NBA odds. That should largely depend on Gilgeous-Alexander, who has emerged as a legitimate superstar, not to mention an MVP candidate. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.1 points and leads the league with 115 steals. As such, his MVP odds have soared to +210, second on the board behind Denver center Nikola Jokic (-140).
The Thunder rank fourth in offensive efficiency (117.7 points/100 possessions) and own the third-largest points differential at plus-7.1. They’re also second in field goal percentage (50.0).
Backing the Thunder has been quite profitable for bettors. Oklahoma City’s 33 wins ATS are second-most in the NBA, behind only Orlando (36).
Handicapping the Game
This marks the last of three meetings between the teams this season, with Los Angeles and Oklahoma City having split the previous two. The Thunder won 134-115 on Dec. 21, while the Clippers returned the favor on Jan. 16, winning 128-117. Both matchups easily exceeded Thursday’s projected point total of 238.
Per the NBA injury report, both teams are relatively healthy. Despite being listed with a shoulder injury, Leonard is expected to play. It’s no surprise that oddsmakers are anticipating a close game.
Oklahoma City has been tough at home, going 18-9 ATS and 21-6 OU. Still, beating the Clippers, especially when they’re well-rested, is a difficult task.
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