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Game Preview: OKC Thunder on road at Clippers hunt for first win of 2018-19

By Noah Schulte

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- MARCH 16: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder jumps for a jump ball during the game against the LA Clippers on March 16, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Sr./NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- MARCH 16: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder jumps for a jump ball during the game against the LA Clippers on March 16, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Sr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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If the OKC Thunder are going to win the game tonight, they need to make sure they do a few things.

Keep the Clippers’ wings in check

Though the Clippers do have Lou Williams coming off the bench, they don’t have a lot of creators outside of Tobias Harris and Danilo Gallinari, so it’s imperative that the Thunder figure out how to contain them. Harris and Gallo combined for 35 points against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday and were the Clips’ two leading scorers. Both were a huge reason why LA was able to hang around in that game for as long as they did.

Neither of them are super difficult to stop, but it could be a problem for Oklahoma City who are without their best wing defender in Andre Roberson. Replacing him tonight–and probably the next few months–is going to be some combination of Terrance Ferguson, Alex Abrines, and Hamidou Diallo; none of whom can defend at even near the level of Roberson.

Paul George is probably going to be able to shut down at least one of Harris or Gallo, but if the Thunder are going to get their first ‘W’ of the season, their back up wings have to be able to step up and play good defense against Harris and Gallinari.

Don’t get complacent

What the Clippers lack in creators, they make up for in depth and sheer effort. Since last year, they’ve been developing an identity as one of those teams that can hang around for just long enough to steal some games and catch people off guard. Given that, the Thunder need to stay engaged at all times and keep their foot on the gas pedal.

The Clippers have a way of just never getting down by too much and slowly chipping away at leads. They’re a really hardworking unit and although they’re not amazing, Oklahoma can’t get complacent for too long.

It’s not like the OKC Thunder have a chronic problem with that type of engagement, but it’s definitely been an issue in the past. Far too often, they find themselves behind in games because they just weren’t engaged enough early and they rely on their talent to win. That probably won’t fly against the Clippers.

If the Thunder do show up and look like they just don’t care in the second game of the year, that’s going to be deeply problematic.

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