The Clippers are surging winners of 3 straight and 8 of their last 10 and on top of that they beat the Thunder last week. The Thunder are still in the top spot in the Western Conference, but they only have a slim 1-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs. <\/p>\n
Venue\/ Stadium: STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA<\/strong> Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Oklahoma City Thunder vs. L.A. Clippers Preview<\/strong><\/p>\n NBA lines have the visiting Thunder as 2.5-point road favorites with a total of 198.<\/p>\n In their last games the Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-100 and the Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors 112-104.<\/p>\n This season the Thunder are 33-27 ATS with an O\/U record of 29-31 and the Clippers are 31-29 ATS with an O\/U record of 29-30-1.<\/p>\n Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for 67 points in the loss to the Clippers last week, but they did not get much help. Obviously, these 2 are THE key guys for OKC, but they need some help in the scoring department.<\/p>\n Blake Griffin and Chris Paul lead the Clippers, but they still miss Moe Williams, who is still out with a toe injury. Paul may be the key, as in the win last week he had a huge game and in the first game in a loss to the Thunder he really struggled. \u00a0[soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n The Thunder will need to light up the scoreboard in this game since they cannot rely on their defense, which ranks 17th in the league in opponents’ points allowed.<\/p>\n The Thunder have a tall task trying to contain Griffin, who has 48 points combined in the last 2 home games facing them.<\/p>\n The offense of the Thunder not only is a problem for the Clippers, but they also are a better rebounding team with the likes of Durant (7.9 rpg), Serge Ibaka (7.7 rpg), and Kendrick Perkins (6.4 rpg). Griffin will need help on the boards tonight.<\/p>\n Both teams can run, but since the Thunder have a better inside game it may be to their advantage to slow the pace of the game down.<\/p>\n In some betting trends for this Western Conference match up the Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5, 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, and they have an Under record of 7-3 in their last 10 games.<\/p>\n The Clippers are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games overall, -1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home underdog, and they have an Over record of 4-0-1 in their last 5 home games.<\/p>\n
\nTime\/Date: 10:30 PM EST Monday, April 16, 2012<\/strong>
\nNCAA Odds From: Bovada<\/a><\/strong>
\nMoneyline: OFF<\/strong>
\nSpread (ATS): Thunder -2.5 <\/strong>
\nOver\/Under:\u00a0 198<\/strong><\/p>\n