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LAC vs. OKC Preview: A Game with Thunderous Implications

By Jacob Glosup

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 10: Patrick Beverley #21 of the Los Angeles Clippers plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 10, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. 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. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 10: Patrick Beverley #21 of the Los Angeles Clippers plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 10, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. 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. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Tonight the LA Clippers (37-29) will face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder (40-25) at home in Staples Center. Coming off of three days of rest, expect an energized Clippers squad to come out swinging.

The LA Clippers sit at the 8th seed in the West and will be looking to inch their way up the standings. The bottom three playoff seeds are only separated by one game at the moment, and the Clippers need to seize the win tonight in order to keep the momentum going in the regular season final stretch.

LAC is coming off of a statement win against the Lakers on Monday, and have the rest advantage over OKC. The Thunder played last night and the game went to overtime. It was an exhausting game for OKC, and if the Clippers want to win, then they need to wear the Thunder out early on.

Patrick Beverley had an amazing game against the Lakers and Clipper Nation would love to see another great performance tonight. Beverley needs to stay out of foul trouble, while also maintaining the intensity against Russell Westbrook. Westbrook is skilled at drawing fouls and this could potentially cause trouble for Beverley.

According to ESPN’s basketball power index, the Clippers have a 58.8% chance of winning tonight’s game against the Thunder. Per William Updyke of the Locked On Clippers podcast, OKC is one of the better performing teams in the league when they are playing in the second night of a back-to-back. Let’s hope that LAC can break that trend tonight.

Wilson Chandler and Luc Mbah a Moute have been ruled out for tonight’s game, so we will continue to have to wait to see them back on the court. Richard Solomon of the Thunder is listed as day-to-day, and in unknown at the moment.

In the paint, Ivica Zubac will have his work cut out for him against Steven Adams, one of the better centers in the league. The Clippers need to win the battle down low, as both of these starting centers have more of a traditional game when it comes to the 5-spot on the floor.

This game, as is every game in this final stretch of the regular season, is an important one to win. The Clippers have a season record of 1-1 against the Thunder. Hopefully, the Clippers can finish the season series against OKC with a winning record.

Follow us on Twitter @ClipperholicsFS for updates throughout tonight’s game!

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