Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers NBA Picks & Predictions 1/4/2018

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Staples Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Oklahoma City Thunder head to Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, January 4, 2018. The opening line for this game has Oklahoma City as 2.5 point favorites.

The Thunder head into this matchup with a mark of 20-17. They are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.0 as they are averaging 103.5 points per contest while giving up 100.5 per game. The Clippers have an overall record of 17-19. They currently are 2nd in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 105.7 points per game and surrendering 105.7, good for a point differential of 0.0.

Valuable Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 13-23-1 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 15-22-0 against the over/under

Important Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Clippers are 20-16-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Clippers are 18-17-1 against the over/under

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

01/02/18 G Andre Roberson Knee is downgraded to OUT Wednesday vs LA Lakers

Key Los Angeles Clippers Injuries

12/12/17 F Danilo Gallinari Gluteus is out indefinitely
11/22/17 PG Patrick Beverley Knee is out for season
01/03/18 PG Austin Rivers Achilles is "?" Thursday vs Oklahoma City

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook comes into this game averaging 24.8 points per contest while playing 36.4 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 9.6 rebounds per contest and distributes 10 assists per game. His FG percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is 72%. Carmelo Anthony averages 17.5 points per contest in 33.1 minutes per game this year. He averages 1.6 assists per game and 6 rebounds per contest for Oklahoma City. His field goal percentage is 41% for the season while his free throw percentage is 77%.

Player Spotlight

DeAndre Jordan has scored 11.1 points per contest while playing 32.6 minutes per game this season for the Clippers. He hauls in 15.1 rebounds per contest and has 1.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 66% and his free throw percentage is at 58%. Lou Williams averages 21.7 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 31.3 minutes per game. He also brings in 2.6 rebounds per game and 4.8 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 90%.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City averages 103.5 points per contest this year, which is 20th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 3.03 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 24th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They average 44.1 boards per contest and 20.7 assists per game, which ranks them 12th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 14th with 14.6 per game. The Thunder allow 100.5 points per contest which is 3rd in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 8th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd, and they allow 21.7 assists per game which puts them in 10th place in the league. They force 16.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 14th in the NBA with 105.7 points per contest this season. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 0. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 18th in the league. They are 15th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.4 boards per contest and 24th in assists per game with 20.9. The Clippers are 12th in turnovers per contest with 14.8. The Clippers give up 105.7 points per game, which ranks them 14th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 10th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 20th with 23.6 dimes allowed per game and 17th with 43.5 boards surrendered per contest. The Clippers are 13th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.9, and their defensive rating of 104.7 is ranked 28th. In terms of pace they are 26th in the league with 94.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 23rd. As a team they are 24th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league. Oklahoma City is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 17th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 13th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 21st in the league. The Clippers are 10th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.8, and their defensive rating of 108.8 is ranked 13th. In terms of pace they are 15th in the league with 96.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 14th. As a team they are 11th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 9th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Thunder/Clippers NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Oklahoma City -2.5

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