Saturday, December 31, 2016

Chesapeake Energy Arena

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Los Angeles Clippers travel to Chesapeake Energy Arena to play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, December 31, 2016. The opening line for this matchup has Los Angeles as 3 point favorites. The Clippers come into this game with an overall record of 22-12. They are 2nd in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of 6.7 as they are averaging 108.4 points per game while giving up 101.6 per contest. The Thunder have an overall record of 20-13. They currently are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 106.2 points per game and surrendering 105.1, good for a point differential of 1.1.

DeAndre Jordan comes into this contest averaging 11.5 points per game while playing 31.7 minutes per night so far this season for the Clippers. He pulls down 13.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 0.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 66% while his free throw percentage is currently at 54%. Chris Paul averages 17.7 points per game in 31.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 9.5 assists per contest and 5.3 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Steven Adams averages 11.8 points per game while playing 29.4 minutes per contest this year for the Thunder. He grabs 7.8 rebounds per game and has 0.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 58% and his free throw percentage currently is at 71%. Russell Westbrook averages 31.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.5 rebounds per contest and 10.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Los Angeles averages 108.4 points per contest this season which ranks them 5th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.7 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them ranked 8th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 52.6 rebounds per game and 22.3 assists per game which ranks them 14th and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 8th with 13 per game. The Clippers allow 101.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 8th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 6th and 13th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 51.6 rebounds a game which ranks 13th and they give up 21.2 assists per contest which puts them in 6th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the league.

Oklahoma City averages 106.2 points per game this year which ranks them 10th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 1.1 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them sitting in the 10th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 28th in the NBA. They average 55.8 rebounds per game and 21.5 assists per contest which ranks them 3rd and 20th respectively. In the turnover department the Thunder rank 23rd with 15.4 per game. The Thunder allow 105.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 18th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 21st and 12th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 51.4 rebounds a game which ranks 11th and they give up 21.8 assists per contest which puts them in 12th place in the league. The Thunder force 14 turnovers per game which ranks them 18th in the NBA.

The Clippers have an offensive rating of 111.9 and a defensive rating of 105. In terms of pace they average 96.2 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 53%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 57% and they shoot 3 pointers on 32% of their shots. Los Angeles turns the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions and they force 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%.

The Thunder rating on offense is 107.4 and they have a defensive rating of 106.3. They get 97.6 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 51%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 29% of their shot attempts. Oklahoma City turns the ball over on 13.6 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.6 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Clippers are 16-18-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Clippers are 21-13-0 against the over/under

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 17-15-1 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 12-19-2 against the over/under

Los Angeles Clippers Injuries

12/29/16 G J.J. Redick Hamstring "?" Friday vs. Houston
12/19/16 F Blake Griffin Knee expected to miss 3-6 weeks
12/19/16 F Brice Johnson Back out indefinitely

Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

12/18/16 G Victor Oladipo Wrist out indefinitely
10/22/16 PG Cameron Payne Foot out indefinitely

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles -3

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn