Written by Rohit Ghosh
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Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Game 2


After being run off the floor in game one, the Oklahoma City Thunder are already in a must-win situation heading into game two. Going down 0-2 is not a recipe for success as 18 of previous 21 teams to win the first two games on the road have gone on to win the series. To rebound from both the straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS), the Thunder need to step up their defensive intensity and not let the Clippers get off to another hot start. With Kevin Durant fresh off his MVP reception, watch for he and his teammates to set the tempo in Wednesday night’s matchup.

AccuScore has the Oklahoma City Thunder as slight 54.8 percent favorites to win game two of their best-of-seven series against the Los Angeles Clippers. The average score after 10,000 simulations is 105-104, with the Clippers having a 60 percent chance of covering the +5.5 spread. Something that happens rarely in simulations, both the road and away team have a fairly comparable probability at close (4 points or less) and big (10 points or more) wins.

Betting Trends

• The Clippers are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games.
• The Clippers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games.
• The total has gone OVER in 9 of the Clippers’ last 11 games.
• The Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on the road.
• The Thunder are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games.
• The total has gone OVER in 6 of the Thunder’s last 7 games.
• The Thunder are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games at home.
• The Thunder are 13-4 SU in their last 17 games at home.

AccuScore has updated odds and star-rated picks against the spread and on Over/Unders for this game and every other NBA playoff game on the NBA Expert Picks Page

Projected Leaders

Kevin Durant: 31 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists Russell Westbrook: 23 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds Blake Griffin: 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists Chris Paul: 20 points, 12 assists, 4 rebounds

What to Watch For

The Clippers got off to a ridiculously strong start in the first quarter of game one behind Chris Paul’s 17 points. After 12 minutes of play, the Thunder were already down 14. Despite both the Clippers (+1.3) and Thunder (+1.2) having a similar average first quarter margin this season, the Thunder have struggled to start games as of late. Their average scoring margin after one quarter of play in the last three games has dropped to -5.0.

Chris Paul torched Russell Westbrook for 32 points (8-9 three pointers) and 10 assists. Despite Westbrook shooting 9-14 for 29 points, the spotlight was on his (and OKC’s) inability to contain Paul. Paul might not make eight three-pointers again, but the range he showed in game one will open the floor for him the remainder of the series. OKC is No. 25 in the league in opponent percent of points from three pointers, a trait that showed up in game one. Keep an eye on OKC’s aggressive defense on the perimeter. It will limit the number of three-point shots attempted, but could also open the middle up for easier LAC buckets.

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Totals Pick

  Over 228.5

60.3%
Spread Pick

 CLE -4

54.1%
64.9%
64.9%
35.0%
35.0%
Side Value
CLE  2.78%

Money Line
CLE  64.9%


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NBA

NBA2 Season Futures

Eastern SEASON-TO-DATE FORECAST POSTSEASON
WIN LOSS WIN LOSS WIN DIV PLAYOFF
ATL
Boston Celtics 61 21 61.7 21.3 100% 100%
New York Knicks 51 31 51.3 31.7 0% 100%
Toronto Raptors 30 52 30.0 52.0 0% 0%
Brooklyn Nets 26 56 26.0 56.0 0% 0%
Philadelphia 76ers 24 58 24.0 58.0 0% 0%
CEN
Cleveland Cavaliers 64 18 64.6 18.4 100% 100%
Indiana Pacers 50 32 50.4 32.6 0% 100%
Milwaukee Bucks 48 34 48.0 34.0 0% 100%
Detroit Pistons 44 38 44.0 38.0 0% 100%
Chicago Bulls 39 43 39.0 43.0 0% 100%
SE
Orlando Magic 41 41 41.0 41.0 100% 100%
Atlanta Hawks 40 42 40.0 42.0 0% 100%
Miami Heat 37 45 37.0 45.0 0% 100%
Charlotte Hornets 19 63 19.0 63.0 0% 0%
Washington Wizards 18 64 18.0 64.0 0% 0%

Western SEASON-TO-DATE FORECAST POSTSEASON
WIN LOSS WIN LOSS WIN DIV PLAYOFF
NW
Oklahoma City Thunder 68 14 68.7 14.3 100% 100%
Denver Nuggets 50 32 50.3 32.7 0% 100%
Minnesota Timberwolves 49 33 49.5 33.5 0% 100%
Portland Trail Blazers 36 46 36.0 46.0 0% 0%
Utah Jazz 17 65 17.0 65.0 0% 0%
PAC
Los Angeles Clippers 50 32 50.0 32.0 0% 100%
Los Angeles Lakers 50 32 50.0 32.0 0% 100%
Golden State Warriors 48 34 48.5 34.5 100% 100%
Sacramento Kings 40 42 40.0 42.0 0% 100%
Phoenix Suns 36 46 36.0 46.0 0% 0%
SW
Houston Rockets 52 30 52.0 30.0 100% 100%
Memphis Grizzlies 48 34 48.0 34.0 0% 100%
Dallas Mavericks 39 43 39.0 43.0 0% 100%
San Antonio Spurs 34 48 34.0 48.0 0% 0%
New Orleans Pelicans 21 61 21.0 61.0 0% 0%

Eastern, ATL

SEASON-TO-DATE    WIN     LOSS   |   FORECAST    WIN     LOSS   

Eastern, ATL

POSTSEASON    WIN DIV     PLAYOFF

Eastern, CEN

SEASON-TO-DATE    WIN     LOSS   |   FORECAST    WIN     LOSS   

Eastern, CEN

POSTSEASON    WIN DIV     PLAYOFF

Eastern, SE

SEASON-TO-DATE    WIN     LOSS   |   FORECAST    WIN     LOSS   

Eastern, SE

POSTSEASON    WIN DIV     PLAYOFF

Western, NW

SEASON-TO-DATE    WIN     LOSS   |   FORECAST    WIN     LOSS   

Western, NW

POSTSEASON    WIN DIV     PLAYOFF

Western, PAC

SEASON-TO-DATE    WIN     LOSS   |   FORECAST    WIN     LOSS   

Western, PAC

POSTSEASON    WIN DIV     PLAYOFF

Western, SW

SEASON-TO-DATE    WIN     LOSS   |   FORECAST    WIN     LOSS   

Western, SW

POSTSEASON    WIN DIV     PLAYOFF