OKC Thunder – Clippers preview: the exception to the tank rule

Key matchup:

No surprise here – former OKC Thunder star Paul George should be the main chalkboard focus for Mark Daigneault’s game strategy.

George is averaging 27.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.4 steals per game. He’s taking 21.6 shots per game shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from the perimeter on 9.6 attempts. George has delivered double-double performances in three of the five matches and scored 41 and 42 points already this season although the Clippers lost both those games.

Luguentz Dort will undoubtedly get the tap to shadow George and the Thunder should intermix other defenders such as Kenrich Williams to throw a different look at George. One of the keys will be to make PG13 work on defense to tire him out.

Another former OKC Thunder player is the secondary focus — Reggie Jackson as he’s the second-leading scorer for LA. The Thunder should have an advantage however in the backcourt with the height of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey lining up across from Jackson and Eric Bledsoe.

Daigneault can elect to force the ball out of George’s hands or shut everyone else down or he could elect to let George be the primary shot taker and attempt to shut down everyone else.