Thursday, March 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 Thursday, March 31, 2016. The opening line for this game has Oklahoma City as 8.5 point favorites and the over/under has been set at 216.

The Clippers come into this game with an overall record of 46-27 and a road record of 21-15. They are 2nd in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.7 as they are averaging 104.5 points per game while giving up 100.8 per contest. Los Angeles is 7-6 against division opponents and they have a conference record of 25-19. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games. The Thunder have an overall record of 52-23 and a home record of 30-9. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 110 points per game and surrendering 102.5, good for a point differential of 7.5. Oklahoma City has a division record of 12-2 and a conference record of 34-11. In their last 10 games they are 8-2.

Chris Paul comes into this contest averaging 19.8 points per game while playing 33.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Clippers. He pulls down 4.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 9.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is currently at 89%. J.J. Redick averages 16.5 points per game in 28.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.4 assists per contest and 1.8 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 89%.

Russell Westbrook averages 23.7 points per game while playing 34.5 minutes per contest this year for the Thunder. He grabs 7.7 rebounds per game and has 10.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 81%. Kevin Durant averages 28 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 8.3 rebounds per contest and 5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 89%.

Los Angeles averages 104.5 points per contest this season which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.7 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them ranked 8th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 7th in the league. They average 51 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per game which ranks them 20th and 11th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 3rd with 13.1 per game. The Clippers allow 100.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 10th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 4th and 9th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 55.3 rebounds a game which ranks 28th and they give up 21.5 assists per contest which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 9th in the league.

Oklahoma City averages 110 points per game this year which ranks them 2nd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 7.5 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team which has them sitting in the 3rd spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 17th in the NBA. They average 56.7 rebounds per game and 22.9 assists per contest which ranks them 1st and 10th respectively. In the turnover department the Thunder rank 26th with 15.7 per game. The Thunder allow 102.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 14th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 5th and 7th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 48.9 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 21.5 assists per contest which puts them in 8th place in the league. The Thunder force 13.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the NBA.

The Clippers average 104.4 points per game on the road this season and they have scored 105 ppg in their past 3 contests. They have an average scoring differential of 1.3 on the road and in their past 3 games their difference is 13.7 per contest. The Clippers have an offensive rating of 108.1 and a defensive rating of 104.3. In terms of pace they average 96 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 52%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 55% and they shoot 3 pointers on 33% of their shots. Los Angeles turns the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions and they force 13.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 48%.

The Thunder score 109.2 ppg at home and they have averaged 104 points per contest in their last 3 games. They have an average scoring differential of 10.7 in their past 3 contests and at home this season they have a difference of 9.5 points per game. The Thunder rating on offense is 112.9 and they have a defensive rating of 105.3. They get 96.7 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 52%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 57% and they attempt 3 pointers on 27% of their shot attempts. Oklahoma City turns the ball over on 13.9 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 11.7 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 48%.

Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Clippers are 34-35-4 against the spread

The Los Angeles Clippers are 29-41-3 against the over/under

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 33-40-2 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 34-41-0 against the over/under

Los Angeles Clippers Injuries

03/29/16 F Paul Pierce Ankle injured last game, doubtful Wednesday vs. Minnesota
03/27/16 F Blake Griffin Suspension expected to miss next 2 games; eligible to return Sunday vs. Washington
03/14/16 F Branden Dawson Legal problems out indefinitely

Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

No key injuries to report

Tony's Pick: Take Los Angeles

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 Tony Sink