Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

How OKC Thunder counterattack 4 key LA Clippers – preview

By Matthew Hallett

OKC Thunder Power Rankings week nine : Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against Chris Paul #3 of the OKC Thunder on December 22, 2019 (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKC Thunder Power Rankings week nine : Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against Chris Paul #3 of the OKC Thunder on December 22, 2019 (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
OKC Thunder
OKC Thunder. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /

OKC Thunder faces a line in the sand game against the LA Clippers with four key matchups in mind. Gameday preview breaks down the counterattack.

Over the summer, the LA Clippers got infinitely better. Kawhi Leonard wanted to come back to Los Angeles and so chose to sign with the Clippers where he could be the main man. He also wanted to play with Paul George who requested a trade from the OKC Thunder.

Normally when a player comes back to play for an organization where he requested a trade from there is animosity. Fortunately, George was professional enough to stay quiet until Presti could leverage the best deal possible, so George is welcomed back with open arms.

However, that is history; the present is the game where the LA Clippers are looking to cement the second seed in the crowded Western Conference. They are on a four-game winning streak, with Leonard holding his team accountable on defense.

Likewise, for the OKC Thunder, this is a crucial game. While they suffered their first loss post-All-Star break in the last game when they played the Milwaukee Bucks. This match feels crucial in terms of seeding this season. The Thunder need to bounce back after the 47-point loss.

https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/1234620928321032193?s=20

There were reasons for the loss. Apart from Giannis Antetokounmpo playing his normally unstoppable brand of basketball; the Thunder had no one to guard him. Normal starting power forward Danilo Gallinari was sitting the second game of a back to back which appears to be a load management decision.

Darius Bazley is also still out through injury and this was the first game the Thunder really missed him. The rookie, while he also did not stand a chance, has better tools to deal with Antetokounmpo’s size and speed. Hamidou Diallo never stood a chance.

The OKC Thunder are now looking to bounce back so they can continue to try to lock up a higher seed and home-court advantage. Here are the players they need to look out for in order to get a victory.

Home/Thunder News