The Oklahoma City Thunder (14-14) square off with the Los Angeles Clippers (22-9) at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game will air on NBATV at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 22, 2019.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Prediction
In the Clippers’ last matchup, they blew out the San Antonio Spurs, 134-109, as 5-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (243) finished over the projected point total of 236.5. The Clippers held the Spurs to an offensive rebounding percentage of 11.8 (below their season average of 21.7). The Spurs also had a turnover percentage of 16.6 (above their season average of 11.6). Los Angeles rallied around Kawhi Leonard, who was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 11-for-16 shooting.
The Thunder easily got past the Phoenix Suns in their last contest, 126-108, comfortably covering as 2.5-point favorites. The game’s combined points (234) were over the O/U total of 224.5. Oklahoma City had an effective field goal percentage of 0.621 (above their season average of 0.530). Phoenix, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of converting from the free throw line (21-23; 91.3 percent). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the top scorer from either team with 32 points on 13-for-18 shooting from the field.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Montrezl Harrell scored a game-high 28 points and the Clippers defeated the Thunder 90-88 but did not cover as 7.5-point favorites. He also put up 12 rebounds and five assists. The game finished with a total of 178 points, which was 43.5 points below the projected point total of 221.5 points. The Clippers had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (26.5 vs. 20.0) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.460 vs. 0.420).
Los Angeles heads into the game with records of 22-9 straight up (SU) and 16-13-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to place the total high when the Clippers are playing, as 17 of their 30 games have ended under the total.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City is 14-14 SU and 16-11-1 ATS. Coinciding with Los Angeles, Thunder games have a slight tendency to finish under the projected point total (53.6 percent).
The physical Oklahoma City offense seems poised to dominate from the free throw line. The Thunder rank third in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.237, while Los Angeles is among the NBA’s most foul-prone squads (giving up a 20th-ranked FTA rate of 0.212).
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Los Angeles is 6-8 ATS on the road with 7 overs and 7 unders.
At home, Oklahoma City is 8-6-1 ATS with 8 overs and 7 unders.
Los Angeles is 10-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Oklahoma City is 5-3.
When reaching the century mark, the Thunder are 14-8 and the Clippers are 20-5.
Los Angeles ranks first in second chance points per game (15.1) while Oklahoma City ranks last (10.0).
The Clippers rank seventh in fast break points per game (15.0) while the Thunder rank last (8.6).
Los Angeles ranks third in rebounds per game (48.0) while Oklahoma City ranks 26th (42.3).
The Thunder rank second in three pointers allowed per game (30.5) while the Clippers rank 22nd (34.8).
Los Angeles ranks fourth in points off turnovers per game (19.1) while Oklahoma City ranks 22nd (16.0).
The Clippers average 49.6 points in the paint per game, which ranks sixth in the league. The Thunder rank 22nd in points allowed in the paint per game (49.6).
Oklahoma City ranks fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.4) while Los Angeles ranks 16th (5.0).
The Clippers rank 18th in assists per game (23.3) while the Thunder rank 26th (21.8).
Oklahoma City ranks 20th in steals per game (7.4) while Los Angeles ranks 23rd in steals allowed per game (8.3).
Over its last five contests, Los Angeles is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Oklahoma City is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over its last five games.
The Clippers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.0, up from 7.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 111.2 points per game (2.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 108.0 points per game (0.2 above their season average).
