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LA Clippers Playoff Matchups: Oklahoma City Thunder

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Los Angeles Clippers Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Dennis Schroder (17) during a NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers on October 19, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Los Angeles Clippers Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Dennis Schroder (17) during a NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers on October 19, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 30: An overhead photo of Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers going up for a reound on October 30, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 30: An overhead photo of Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers going up for a reound on October 30, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Gameplan for Playoffs

Upsetting OKC in the first round won’t be an easy task. In fact, I’d be willing to argue that outside of Golden State (for obvious reasons), they are the worst potential first round matchup for us.

I’m sure many of you will say, “But Denver is a better team and we have had no answer for them!”. You aren’t wrong.

But why does Denver bother us so badly? Nikola Jokic? Yes, the Clippers don’t have an answer for the big man, but the Thunder present a different, albeit similar problem.

Let me tell you about Steven Adams. No, he’s not anywhere near as talented as Jokic on the offensive end in scoring nor passing, but he does one thing the Clippers have had trouble with all season: rebound.

Adams is currently sitting at second in the league in total offensive rebounds and 6th in offensive rebound percentage in the league. His size and strength at 7’0, 265 lbs will give Ivica Zubac and Montrezl Harrell a lot of problems. He’s also a capable scorer, averaging a career-high 14.6 points per game this season. Limiting second chance points needs to be a point of emphasis, so gang rebounding will be a must.

OKC becomes even worse of a matchup once you consider that the Clips don’t really have anyone to put on Paul George. Assuming Doc Rivers trots out the trio of Patrick Beverley, Landry Shamet and Gilgeous-Alexander, there will be a mismatch. Yes, Beverley did have recent success guarding LeBron James, but there is no indication that would be sustainable in a seven game series against George.

There is the chance that Luc Mbah a Moute is back by playoffs (I’ll believe it when I see it), but with as many games as he has missed, there is just no certainty in what type of player he will be. In theory he could be used to slow down George, but a lot needs to be proven between now and the start of the postseason. Wilson Chandler, who has not suited up for the team since arriving via trade, may also get some minutes matched up, but at his age, he’s better off guarding 4’s rather than 3’s.

If Beverley is on PG, Westbrook will likely be guarded by Gilgeous-Alexander. Shai does have length on Russ, but lacks the explosiveness to really stay in front of him. Playing off of Westbrook would be the only option with the hope that he falls in love with the three, which he is shooting a near career-worst this season at 27.4% on 5.3 attempts per game.

The Thunder, much like the Clippers, do use a three guard lineup often with Dennis Schroder. His speed is hard to match and creates more matchup problems. Much like Lou Will, Schroder has been instant offense from the bench and he will often close out games for them.

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