Pick #3: OKC Thunder +7.5 (-115 on BetMGM)
The Clippers have been playing well recently, but so have the Thunder who've gone 7-2 straight up and against the spread in their last nine games.
This is a young team and one that was expected to finish near the bottom of the standings especially after losing highly-regarded rookie Chet Holmgren for the entire season. Instead, OKC has been a scrappy team, fighting for a playoff spot and sitting 14th in the league in offensive rating while ranking 10th on defense.
The Thunder have embraced a small-ball lineup this season, especially in recent weeks with 6-foot-9 rookie Jaylin Williams starting at 5. While that can be an issue against bigger squads that can punish them inside, the Clips are the sort of team that will likely match up with smaller looks themselves.
Although the duo of Paul George (23.9 points and 5.1 assists per game) and Kawhi Leonard (23.8 ppg) is tough for any team to deal with, OKC is better equipped than most to slow them down. The Thunder boast one of the league's best wing defenders in Luguentz Dort while rookie Jalen Williams (not to be confused with Jaylin) has also been an excellent perimeter defender.
One of the L.A.'s weaknesses this season has been its tendency to turn the ball over and that's been magnified since trading for Russell Westbrook at the deadline. The Clips are 25th in the league in points allowed off turnovers (18.2 ppg) and 22nd in points allowed on the fastbreak (14.6 ppg).
The Thunder are second in the league in both opponent turnover rate (16.1%) and points off turnovers (20.7 ppg). With the Thunder having the ability to run the floor in transition and make the Clips pay on the other end of the floor, take them with the points!
Pick #3: OKC Thunder +7.5 (-115 on BetMGM)
The Clippers have been playing well recently, but so have the Thunder who've gone 7-2 straight up and against the spread in their last nine games.
This is a young team and one that was expected to finish near the bottom of the standings especially after losing highly-regarded rookie Chet Holmgren for the entire season. Instead, OKC has been a scrappy team, fighting for a playoff spot and sitting 14th in the league in offensive rating while ranking 10th on defense.
The Thunder have embraced a small-ball lineup this season, especially in recent weeks with 6-foot-9 rookie Jaylin Williams starting at 5. While that can be an issue against bigger squads that can punish them inside, the Clips are the sort of team that will likely match up with smaller looks themselves.
Although the duo of Paul George (23.9 points and 5.1 assists per game) and Kawhi Leonard (23.8 ppg) is tough for any team to deal with, OKC is better equipped than most to slow them down. The Thunder boast one of the league's best wing defenders in Luguentz Dort while rookie Jalen Williams (not to be confused with Jaylin) has also been an excellent perimeter defender.
One of the L.A.'s weaknesses this season has been its tendency to turn the ball over and that's been magnified since trading for Russell Westbrook at the deadline. The Clips are 25th in the league in points allowed off turnovers (18.2 ppg) and 22nd in points allowed on the fastbreak (14.6 ppg).
The Thunder are second in the league in both opponent turnover rate (16.1%) and points off turnovers (20.7 ppg). With the Thunder having the ability to run the floor in transition and make the Clips pay on the other end of the floor, take them with the points!
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