Thunder at Clippers: Pregame Primer
vs.
OKC Thunder (50-25, 22-15 road) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (29-47, 21-18 home)
TV: ESPN (Cox 29, HD 720); FSOK (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 754)
Stream: (This one hasn’t been working lately, anyone have one?)
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 9:30 CT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 111.0 (6th), Clippers– 105.6 (22nd)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 107.2 (15th), Clippers – 108.9 (19th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.6 (13th), Clippers – 92.7 (12th)
View from the enemy: ClipperBlog
Most times, back-to-backs are no good. But I have a feeling in this case, the Thunder’s eager to get back out on the floor. After last night’s offensive debacle in the second half, OKC’s players are probably itching to knock down a clean 18-foot jumper.
And remember the result last time the Thunder went to Staples to play the other tenant? The Clippers completely beat down OKC in November. It was really never close. So this group will have two things on its mind coming in.
Clippers coming in: One thing to not forget, the Clips are pretty decent at home. They’ve dropped two straight though and last played last night as well.
THE MATCHUPS
I’m pretty excited to watch Kendrick Perkins battle against Blake Griffin. I know that technically Serge Ibaka will be matched up with Griffin, but Perk will have his shot. I love Blake, but let’s face it — he can be a bit dramatic when he’s pushed. And you know Perk is going to push him. Over/under the number of times Griffin pulls the put-your-hands-in-the-air-and-look-at-the-ref move? I’m setting the number at 55.5.
DeAndre Jordan is much like Perk in that he’s just a defensive presence, but he’s so big and athletic that he’s always in play for a lob. The Clippers have a really athletic frontcourt, maybe the most in the league. And then there’s Chris Kaman too who isn’t bad as a scorer.
With Mo Williams, the Clips have a better offensive option at point guard and are playing pretty well. Russell Westbrook is looking to bounce back and typically plays well in his hometown.
Eric Gordon should really be the focus. Thabo has a ton of length and size on him, but Gordon is a very underrated drive and finish player. James Harden will be key in making Gordon work on both ends.
Jamario Moon is the starting small forward for L.A. and he’ll have his hands full with an angry Kevin Durant in this one. Moon isn’t much of a threat to score other than dunking on a break.
The loss at Portland isn’t bad as long as the Thunder takes care of business in this one against L.A. Again, they aren’t bad at home and have some talent, but OKC is too good to lose a game like this, especially when it needs a rebound.
Tip at 9:30 CT. Go Up The Thunder.
