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Game 2: Clippers vs. Thunder Betting Picks & ATS NBA Handicapping Preview

Los Angeles vs Oklahoma City NBA Odds

The Los Angeles Clippers set a franchise playoff record for 3-pointers in a single game in game one of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday, and will look to take home court advantage totally away from the Thunder, when they square off with them in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night. [ad-4468020]

Date/Time: 9:30 PM ET, Monday, May 5, 2014
Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Broadcast: TNT
Spread: -5.5 Oklahoma
Over/Under: 214.5
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Los Angeles rode an incredible 15 three pointers and got a strong performance from Chris Paul, who made 8-of-9 of the Clippers 3-point attempts, finishing the contest with 32 points and 10 assists in a 122-105 victory over 2014 MVP Kevin Durant and the Thunder. It was arguably Paul’s the best all-around performance of stellar career.

The Clippers played well on the defensive end, shutting down Durant, who did not have a good outing in game one’s loss, scoring just 25 points.

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LA cracked down and dominated the Thunder early, jumping out to a sizeable lead, racking up 39 first-quarter points that sent the Thunder to their worst home playoff loss since moving from Seattle.
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However, game one wasn’t all bad for Oklahoma City, who despite looking totally unprepared for the Clippers offense and Paul in game one, did outwork the Clippers on the boards, finishing with a 47-31 rebounding advantage.

Nevertheless, they were exposed badly on the defensive end as Paul drained bucket after bucket at what seemed at will.

And it could have been even worse, but the Clippers could not take advantage of the Thunder’s charity, going just 17-of-30 from the free-throw line, with center DeAndre Jordan missing seven of his eight attempts.

Notes

1. Los Angeles set a franchise playoff record with 15 3-pointers in the opener.
2. Oklahoma City held a 47-31 rebounding advantage in Game 1.
3. The Clippers were 17-of-30 from the free-throw line in the opener as C DeAndre Jordan missed seven of his eight attempts.

NBA Gambling Trends

  • Over is 9-2 in LAC last 11 overall.
  • Over is 9-2 in LAC last 11 vs. Western Conference.
  • Over is 7-2 in LAC last 9 road games.
  • Over is 8-1 in OKC last 9 Wed. games.
  • OKC are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
  • Over is 10-3 in the last 13 meetings.

Matt’s NBA Prediction:

The Thunder will be looking for a different approach in game two and will have to do a better job and make some serious adjustments.

They cannot afford to fall behind early as they did on game one and need to find a way to shut down Paul, who I expect will cool down after Monday’s performance.

If the Thunder can improve their defense and find a way to free up Durant, which I expect they will, I look for them to even the series before heading to LA for game three.

Thunder 116, Clippers 111

By Matt Martz

Matt has returned to CappersPicks.com. The pull was too great. He missed providing his free picks and insider sports gambling analysis to his loyal readers. Please take it easy on him till he gets back into his groove. Cheers!