The LA Clippers (6-4) will face the Oklahoma City Thunder (8-2) on Monday at Paycom Center, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on NBA TV. Both teams are coming off tightly contested recent games, and with the Thunder leading the season series 1-0, this matchup promises excitement for fans and bettors alike.
After suffering a 105-92 loss to the Thunder on Nov. 2, the Clippers bounced back with four consecutive victories. Their latest wins came in a road-and-home back-to-back over the weekend. On Friday, they defeated the Sacramento Kings 107-98, defying odds as 6.5-point underdogs, and narrowly beat the Toronto Raptors 105-103 on Saturday. James Harden led the Clippers in that game, scoring 24 points and adding 12 rebounds and 7 assists.
The Thunder, on the other hand, started their season with a 7-0 record but have lost two of their last three games, including a 127-116 setback to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. Star rookie Chet Holmgren exited early with a hip injury and is expected to miss Monday’s game, putting more pressure on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 24 points against the Warriors.
Clippers at Thunder: Odds and Analysis
As of the latest update, BetMGM has set the Thunder as -275 favorites on the money line, with the Clippers at +220. Oklahoma City is also favored by 6.5 points on the spread. The over/under for the game stands at 218.5 points.
Moneyline: Although the Thunder have beaten the Clippers in six of their last eight meetings, Holmgren’s absence could impact their interior defense. Gilgeous-Alexander, averaging 26.4 points per game against his former team, is expected to carry the load.
Against the Spread (ATS): The Clippers at +6.5 look enticing, as they’ve shown resilience in recent games. While the Thunder have a strong record against LA, they’re just 3-7 ATS in the last 10 matchups.
Over/Under: With the Clippers struggling in over/under betting (3-7) and the Thunder evenly split (5-5), this game may not exceed the 218.5 total, especially without Holmgren’s scoring ability.
Key Injuries Impacting Clippers vs. Thunder
The Clippers will miss center Mo Bamba and forward Kawhi Leonard, both sidelined with knee injuries. The Thunder will be without Holmgren (hip), Isaiah Hartenstein (hand), and Jaylin Williams (hamstring).
Prediction: Thunder 108, Clippers 105
Expect the Thunder to edge out the Clippers in a close game, but the Clippers may cover the spread. Consider betting on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for player props to surpass 42.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists, given his recent performance and role as OKC’s focal point.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.