OKC Thunder key 3: Gang rebounding and paint defense:
While keeping the Clippers or the perimeter is important an equally important goal is to clean the glass.
In the loss Friday the Clippers outrebounded the Thunder by a margin of 19 boards (Clippers 55 to Thunder 36). They also won the offensive board battle 9 to 5.
While LA also won the paint scoring battle it wasn’t by a large margin (56 to 52). But the combination of the Clippers grabbing more boards and putting pressure on the Thunder was a big factor in why they got out to such a strong start.
Intentions Ryan Lewis noted the free throw differential playing a factor Friday as LA got 25 trips to the line versus the 13 for OKC.
All stats courtesy of basketball reference or NBA Stats.
Game specifics:
Records:
- Thunder: 6-8
- Clippers: 12-4
The Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Tipoff: 4:00 PM ET | 3:00 PM CT
TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma | NBA League Pass
Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC
Odds:
Injuries:
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- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
Thunder:
- Al Horford missed the last four games for personal reasons (birth of his daughter) and won’t play Sunday. No news on when he’ll rejoin the squad.
- Josh Hall is out addressing health and safety protocols.
- Ty Jerome (ankle) – out indefinitely
- Trevor Ariza (personal) out indefinitely
Clippers:
- Jay Scrubb had foot surgery and is out indefinitely.
History:
The teams have played each other 219 times in regular-season history with the Thunder holding a 138-81 advantage. Last season the clubs played on four occasions with the Clippers taking three of the four contests.
Enjoy the game and check back tomorrow for grades and three takeaways.