The Los Angeles Clippers (17-11) will travel to Chesapeake Energy Arena to meet the Oklahoma City Thunder (17-10). The Clippers opened as 6-point underdogs. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 227 points and it will air on Fox SportsNet Oklahoma at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 15, 2018.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ATS Odds
Both teams fell in their last contest. The Thunder (2.5-point favorites) were defeated by the Denver Nuggets, 109-98, while the Clippers (3-point underdogs) fell to the San Antonio Spurs, 125-87. The Oklahoma City game finished 27 points under the projected point total of 234, while the Los Angeles game finished 9.5 points under the projected point total of 221.5.
Los Angeles had a better offensive rebounding percentage (25.0 vs. 21.6) while Oklahoma City forced Denver into a turnover percentage of 18.2 (above their season average of 11.9). Steven Adams had a solid outing for Oklahoma City with 26 points and 14 rebounds. Meanwhile, Danilo Gallinari led the way for Los Angeles, finishing with 15 points.
The Thunder evened the season series at one with a 128-110 blowout win in their most recent game. George put up a double-double in the victory with 32 points and 12 rebounds. The Thunder’s 12.2 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Clippers, who had a rate of 20.5. Oklahoma City covered as a 4-point favorite and the two teams combined for 238 points, which was over the projected point total of 228.5.
Clippers games have typically gone over the total (60.7 percent). Los Angeles heads into the contest with records of 17-11 straight up (SU) and 15-13 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Los Angeles, Thunder games have a slight tendency to finish under the projected point total (53.8 percent). Moreover, Oklahoma City is 17-10 SU and 15-11 ATS.
Paul George has been playing at a high level recently for Oklahoma City, averaging 28 points,8.8 rebounds,4.6 assists,2.4 steals over the last five games.
The offensive glass could be a major edge for Oklahoma City in this matchup. The Thunder are among the league’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking first in offensive rebounding percentage at 27.6 percent. Meanwhile, Los Angeles ranks 26th in the NBA at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 75.2 percent. Also, the Clippers rank fourth in opponents’ effective field goal percentage (0.504), while the Thunder rank 24th in effective field goal percentage (0.506).
Clippers vs. Thunder ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Thunder rank 15 in three pointers attempted per game (31.333333333333332) while the Clippers rank 27 (25.142857142857142).
- Oklahoma City ranks first in steals per game (10.4) while Los Angeles ranks 28th (5.9).
- The Thunder rank third in rebounds per game (48.3) while the Clippers rank 25th in rebounds allowed per game (46.4).
- Oklahoma City averages 52.4 points in the paint per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 24th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.6).
- Oklahoma City ranks 10 in blocks per game (5.592592592592593) while Los Angeles ranks 27 in blocks allowed per game (6.214285714285714).
- The Thunder rank first in points off turnovers per game (21.4) while the Clippers rank 27th (14.6).
- The Thunder rank 7 in fast break points per game (15.777777777777779) while the Clippers rank 25 in fast break points allowed per game (15.535714285714286).
- Oklahoma City ranks second in second chance points per game (15.9) while Los Angeles ranks 25th in second chance points allowed per game (14.9).
- In games where they allow under 100 points, Oklahoma City is 5-0 and Los Angeles is 3-1.
- The Thunder are 15-5 when they score more than 100 points, while the Clippers are 17-6.
- Oklahoma City is 8-5 ATS at home, while Los Angeles is 7-9 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 10 of the Clippers’ 16 road games, while 8 of the Thunder’s 13 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Thunder are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Clippers are 0-5.
- In their last five games, Oklahoma City has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Los Angeles has 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push.
- The Thunder have been outscored by an average of 1.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Oklahoma City has defeated opponents by an average of 5.8 points.
- During their last five games, the Clippers have scored an average of 98.6 points per game (15.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 116.8 points per game (3.2 above their season average).
