The Oklahoma City Thunder managed to overcome an injury to big man Serge Ibaka to win Game 7 of their playoff matchup last season with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Thunder face the Clippers again to start their new season, where they’ll need to overcome an even bigger injury to reigning MVP Kevin Durant if they hope to get their season off to a winning start.
The Thunder vs. Clippers directly follows the New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers as the first nationally televised Thursday night double-header offering of the year. Click here for our preview of that game here shortly after reading up on this Western Conference playoff rematch.
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Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles
When: Thursday, October 30, 2014, 10:30 PM ET
Line: Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder
For the second time in two seasons, the Oklahoma City Thunder will begin the season without one of their dynamic duo. Last season, it was Russell Westbrook; this year, it’s reigning league MVP Kevin Durant that’s sidelined, leaving head coach Scott Brooks with the unenviable task of finding the 32 points, seven rebounds and five assists Durant averaged last season.
[sc:NBA240banner ]With Durant out, Westbrook will no doubt have an even bigger role in the offense against the Clippers, which should suit him just fine. In last season’s thrilling seven-game playoff series against Los Angeles, Westbrook averaged just under 28 points, six rebounds, nine assists and shot 49 percent from the field.
Durant’s injury could also mean sixth man Reggie Jackson will be inserted into the starting lineup. Jackson, who was a non-factor in the Clippers series with just nine points per game, has only featured in two preseason games because of a lingering wrist injury, but should be ready for the opener. Jackson will need to produce something closer to his 13 PPG season average to help lighten the load on Westbrook on offense.
Another spot in the starting five opened up this season after defensive stopper Thabo Sefolosha left in the offseason. Anthony Morrow, a career 42 percent three-point shooter, will be one of the favorites for that open starting gig along with bigger wings in Anthony Roberson and Perry Jones III.
Serge Ibaka will have a key role to play on defense in guarding Blake Griffin, but he’ll also be an important member of the Thunder offense with Durant out. Ibaka averaged 16.3 points and shot 66 percent last season against the Clippers in the regular season, his best numbers against any team he faced four times.
The Thunder are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games against the Clippers at Staples Center.
Betting on the Los Angeles Clippers
After setting their best regular season record in franchise history last season at 57-25, the Los Angeles Clippers are back with another strong roster this season. They start their new campaign at home, where they went 34-7 last season, the best NBA homecourt in the Western Conference along with the Thunder.
That’s not the only category where the Clippers were No. 1 in last season. The Clippers also had the best offense in the NBA, both via Offensive Rating and points per game, spearheaded by the All-Star duo of Blake Griffin (24 PPG, seven RPG) and Chris Paul (19 PPG, 11 APG). Jamal Crawford (18.6 PPG) and J.J. Redick (15 PPG) are also still in the mix to provide perimeter scoring.
The absence of Durant will be huge for the Clippers as it can give them the license to put Crawford and Redick together in an even more potent offensive-minded lineup without much fear of being burned on defense.
The Clippers’ ability to spread to floor will be even greater with Spencer Hawes on the floor. The Clippers signed Hawes in the offseason to fill one of their glaring needs last season –a reliable big man off the bench – and the former Sixers center is just that. Hawes averaged 13 points, eight rebounds and 1.6 three-pointers made per game (all career highs) last season between the Philadelphia and Cleveland.
Hawes’ ability to hit threes should keep at least one Thunder big man further away from the paint, freeing up lanes for Paul and Crawford to drive in and attack the Thunder defense.
Writer’s Prediction
The Clippers have too much firepower for the Durant-less Thunder and start off their season with an easy home win. Create a betting account now and cash in on all the great NBA action.
