The Oklahoma City Thunder will probably miss Kevin Durant at some point this season. So far, that hasn’t been the case. Russell Westbrook has put up insane numbers to lead the team to a 3-0 start heading into a Western Conference clash with fellow undefeated team the Los Angeles Clippers.
This will be a tough test for Oklahoma City, which should be an underdog on the road. The Clippers have pulled away for a pair of wins against the Trail Blazers and Jazz and hopes to keep stacking up the wins to position themselves for the postseason.
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Odds Analysis
The projections are down for Oklahoma City because Durant left for the Warriors, but it has taken advantage of an easy early schedule for the 3-0 start. The Thunder have only covered once in those games, as wins over the 76ers and Suns were too close for comfort.
The Clippers are not only 2-0 but have covered in both games. They should be favored to win this one and will need to close out the Thunder in order to cover the spread.
Player to Watch
Russell Westbrook -- Everyone thought the Thunder’s star point guard would have a huge season without another star taking a lot of the shots, and he’s lived up to the billing.
Westbrook is averaging a ridiculous 41.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists this year and already has a pair of triple-doubles. The Thunder don’t have the high-end ceiling without Durant, but Westbrook figures to be in the running for NBA Most Valuable Player if he can continue to play like this.
Chris Paul is a good defender for the Clippers, but when Westbrook is on nobody in the league can stop him. The best chance for the Thunder to pull the upset is for Westbrook to go off in this one.
Injury Report
Clippers center DeAndre Jordan sprained his thumb in the third quarter against Utah. He re-entered the game and seems like he is OK, although sometimes those injuries will swell up and cause problems.
Jordan is averaging 6.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and a block per game and is a huge presence defensively. Jordan has long been one of the NBA’s top rebounders and if the thumb injury limits him or keeps him out of this game, it will be a big help for a guy like Westbrook, who likes driving the lane but could be limited by Jordan in the paint.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Thunder might be 3-0, but don’t be fooled by the undefeated mark. Barely winning games over the 76ers and Suns is cause for concern, as they are two of the worst teams in the NBA. Even though Westbrook has been amazing, he has not gotten enough help early on as OKC should be pulling away from these lesser teams.
The Clippers aren’t as exciting because they have had the same core for awhile, but they are the better team. Paul is a star point guard while Blake Griffin is averaging 27.0 points and 13.0 rebounds per contest in the earlygoing.
Los Angeles has more balance and better depth, along with the home court advantage. Westbrook will once again do all he can to keep his team in this one, but don’t expect the Thunder to walk out of here with a victory.
The Clippers can make a nice statement by capturing this victory at home and proving they are positioned to be on the second tier in the Western Conference behind the Warriors and Spurs.
NBA Odds: Clippers 112, Thunder 105
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