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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