Thunder vs. Clippers: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
The Los Angeles Clippers are hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight in a game that both teams desperately want to win.
Neither franchise is in danger of missing the postseason, but rather would like to prove to themselves and the rest of the league that they are legitimate contenders to win the West.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about this exciting, early season contest.
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
When: Monday, January 30 at 10:30 p.m. EDT
Watch: NBA TV, NBA League Pass (Live Stream)
Betting Line: Thunder -2.5 (Via ScoresAndOdds.com)
Key Injuries
Thunder
Eric Maynor—OUT (Knee)
Clippers
No Significant Injuries to Report
What's At Stake?
The Clippers are going to provide a real test for the Thunder, the team with the league’s best record.
Road trips have not been a problem for Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and company as they are 8-2 away from Oklahoma City.
However, L.A. is extremely good in front of the home crowd, sitting at 9-2 on the year.
Both of these teams are certainly playoff bound, so this is a potential preview for a seven game series come May.
What They're Saying
John Rohde of The Oklahoman reports that Thunder coach Scott Brooks is extremely impressed by Chris Paul and feels that even he could be a factor in the backcourt with the Clippers’ star.
"“He can make a lot of players better,” Brooks said. “I probably could have played in the backcourt with him and there would have been a lot of open jump shots for me.
“It's not just the lobs. It's the timing plays when you need to get the ball on time. Paul gets it there. If you the transition with Paul, he's going to find you on the break, find you in the wings, find you at the basket. He can find players who are open when other players can't see it.”
"
Baxter Holmes of The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Clippers’ PG Chauncey Billups has reached out to former teammate Kenyon Martin about joining the team when his contract with the Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers is up.
""He's very valuable," Billups said of Martin. "Of course, he comes from winning stock. He's been to the [NBA] Finals twice. He has great ability. He is a leader. One thing I know about Kenyon, he's a winner. He'll do whatever it takes to win. He's one of the great one-on-one defensive players for a big man I've played with. And, contrary to what everybody believes, he's a really good dude."
"
Thunder Player to Watch: Kevin Durant
Durant is trailing Kobe Bryant and LeBron James in scoring this year, but his team has gotten better and more helpful at shouldering the scoring load.
He’s also shooting a sizzling .507 from the field and dishing more assists than any other season in his career.
Clippers Player to Watch: Chris Paul
The 26-year-old PG is leading the Clips to greatness this season and has finally turned them into serious contenders in the West.
He’s fifth in the league in assists and second in steals, which has helped the Clips to the third best record in the conference.
Key Matchup: Turnover Battle.
Oklahoma City averages 16.8 turnovers per game, a ridiculously high number for a team that has been so good this season. Only the Cavaliers and Knicks average more per game and no one considers them legitimate contenders.
The Clippers only give up 14.1 per game, which is near the top of the league.
If L.A. can force turnovers and convert them into easy buckets, it could be the difference in this contest.
Prediction
Thunder 100—Clippers 97
