OKC Thunder – Clippers preview: the exception to the tank rule
Key Stats:
Neither team is feasting on the positive side of the stat categories. In the three key categories of offense, defense, and net differential the Clippers rank 26th, 8th, and 18th. The OKC Thunder aren’t performing well in any of the key three categories ranking 29th, 28th, and 30th respectively.
Scoring: LA ranks 23rd for points scored per game (103.8) while the Thunder ranks 29th averaging a meager 97.2 points per game.
As for opponent scoring, the Clippers allow 104.8 points ranking 12th while OKC allows 111.7 points which ranks 22nd.
Cleaning the glass: Perhaps the most telling statistic of the Clippers’ woes is tied to the glass where they average 41 rebounds per game which is the worst mark in the association. The Thunder ranks 26th with 43.3 boards per game. Neither team performs well on the offensive glass with LA 26th (8.4) and OKC 25th (8.5).
Dime dishers: One statistical area the Clippers perform above the league average is assists per game – they dish 24 dimes per game which ranks 11th. Despite the ball and player movement strategy of the Thunder, they dole out only 19.8 assists per game ranking them 28th in the NBA.
Opponent fast break scoring: The OKC Thunder hold opponents to the fewest fast break points (6.3) while this is an area they can capitalize on both sides of the hardwood as the Clippers allow 15.0 per game ranking 24th.
LAC Strengths: Although there are copious areas the Clippers need to improve there are a few areas they shine. One is ball management as they protect the ball the best in the association with only 11.6 turnovers per game. Another is steals, LA tops the league with 11.4 steals per game. Those steals bolster their points scored off turnovers where the Clippers rank sixth with 19.4 points scored off those possessions.
That’s something OKC will need to be cognizant of on both sides of the court. Especially since the Thunder try to use defense to gain turnovers for easy transition baskets and can’t afford to give LA those same easy buckets.
LAC Weaknesses: Not surprisingly given their issues on the glass the Clippers rank 29th for second-chance points (7.4) but that could be tricky for OKC to take much advantage of given they rank 26th with 8.8 points scored on second-chance opportunities.
Nor does LA score as much in the paint which is likely a byproduct of missing Leonard plus Serge Ibaka and Marcus Morris missing games due to injury. They average 41.2 PIP ranking 27th.