LA vs OKC Odds
The 2014 NBA playoffs have been anything but a breeze for the Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Now the two will face off in what could very well be the most entertaining series of the entire second round.[ad-4468020]
Odds to win the 2014 NBA championship
- Los Angeles: 8-1
- Oklahoma City: 4-1
Odds to win the Western Conference
- Los Angeles: 3-1
- Oklahoma City: 9-5
Round 2 Odds
- Thunder (-180)
- Clippers(+160)
Up to this point, the Clippers have dealt with more than any other basketball team in the Association. Not only were they given the task of stopping Stephen Curry in what would become a seven-game series, but they’re surrounded by the dark cloud that is the Donald Sterling saga.
Adam Silver and the NBA laid down the law when they banned Sterling for life from NBA involvement, and while that’s a punishment that satisfies many around the league, the Clippers are dealing with the fact that he’s still the owner until he officially sells the team.
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Off-court drama aside, the Clips are dealing with one other major storyline: the health of Chris Paul. The 28-year-old is dealing with a bad hamstring, as well as a bad hand and wrist.
The team’s success begins and ends with his health, and while he’s started in every game of the playoffs thus far (and admittedly played well), further damage to his health could be catastrophic for L.A.
While the Thunder aren’t dealing with controversies nearly of the same magnitude, they were also forced into a Game 7 in Round 1. The Memphis Grizzlies gave them everything they had, and if it weren’t for an injury to Mike Conley and the suspension of Zach Randolph, we might be talking about them facing L.A. in the conference semis—not the Thunder.
None the less, it’s OKC who is in the second round. Their troubles in Round 1 stem from efficiency. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for nearly 50 shots per contest, and while Durant was able to boost his field-goal percentage to 44 percent, Westbrook shot an abysmal 38 percent.
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From downtown, the two shot 32.1 percent and 23.8 percent, respectively.
If OKC is going to win this series, it needs to shoot a better percentage. More specifically, it needs its two stars to shoot efficiently, and if they can’t, a third (or fourth) scorer needs to step up.
When looking for X-factors, think about DeAndre Jordan and Serge Ibaka. Both are starters, so neither fits the true X–factor role, but both will have an opportunity to be a difference maker. We know that Westbrook and Durant are going to control the offense for OKC, and we know that Paul and Blake Griffin will do the same for L.A. Ibaka and Jordan, however, can impact the game in the paint, and Jordan in particular can dominate the boards.
Although Ibaka and Jordan will be wild cards, the key matchup to look out for is between two of the best point guards in the game. In particular, it’s going to be interesting to see what Paul can do to slow down his counterpart.
Westbrook is arguably the most athletic point guard to ever play the game, and while he’s as dominant as it comes at getting to the rim, Paul is one of the best defensive point guards we’ve seen in a very long time. Again, the health of Paul will be crucial in this one.
NBA Series Prediction
As did many of the series in Round 1, this matchup has a chance to go the distance. Nobody should be surprised when these two trade blows back and forth, and no one should be surprised if it goes all seven games.
When it comes down to it, neither team is perfect. The Thunder, however, will be slight favorites, and that will hold true all the way through.
The Clippers can come out and steal home-court advantage if they force Durant and Westbrook into poor shooting, but if Game 7 against Memphis is any indication, they’ve found a way to co-exist. Assuming Paul stays healthy, OKC still has a slight edge, giving it a series win in six or seven games.
