NBA Picks and Betting Tips: Los Angeles Clippers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction, 12th November

NLB Staff

11.11.2024 13:34

Clippers vs Thunder Prediction

Going into this game, the Los Angeles Clippers have been one of the most underrated squads due to their recent player development process, while Oklahoma City remains one of the most complete rosters in NBA play. As the Clippers continued their win streak by beating squads like Sacramento and Philadelphia, Oklahoma City has managed to stay a top-three seed in Western Conference action. This enticing game will occur on November 12th at 6:30 A.M. IST in Paycom Center of Oklahoma City. Below are our key betting odds, vital injuries, top player props, and head-to-head trends to come up with a potential outcome for this game.

Clippers vs Thunder Key Betting Tips & Predictions

1. Los Angeles Clippers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Moneyline Pick

As the money line pick is -380 for the Thunder, it should be taken due to their prowess in beating some of the most complete teams. In another game they should win, they will be led by their top scorers Shai Gilegous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. Having the ability of someone like Luguentz Dort or Jalen Williams to keep shooting threes for them, it will be hard for the Clippers' James Harden and Norman Powell to overcome. Although they have been elite this season, the biggest key is they will be guarded by Caruso and don’t have enough firepower to match Oklahoma’s with Zubac being their only other real consistent scorer. Seeing this, the Thunder should win their third straight money line at -380.

2. Los Angeles Clippers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Point Spread Pick

With the spread being +9.5 for the Los Angeles Clippers, that is a great pick because they should keep this matchup very close. Although Oklahoma City is favored to win this matchup, they will be in a battle that depends on which team misses shots at key moments. Having Shai-Gilegous Alexander against James Harden will be one of those battles to watch as both of them have proven to be prolific all-around players. Although Harden has experience in the battle, Shai is a much younger threat who can attack with energy at max speed. Seeing that the Clippers have Norman Powell on the other end who should still score, it will be limited due to Alex Caruso’s defense. Someone who can cause steals, he will be helped by Luguentz Dort who should shut down Terrance Mann and use his body to cause much tougher shots for Powell. As Chet Holmgren will go up against Ivica Zuba, both players should be able to play their roles, but the Thunder one will score at a much higher rate. Seeing this the Clippers +9.5 spread is perfect because they won’t win, but won’t get dominated.

3. Los Angeles Clippers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Over/Under Pick (Total Points)

Looking at this game, it should have an over/under of 217.5 because both teams have shown consistent ability to score. Seeing that the Oklahoma City Thunder have one of the best scoring point guard/center duos, they also will utilize their two great scoring wings of the three-ball. Meanwhile, the Clippers have one of the best scoring point guards league-wide, while their shooting guard has shown incredible development throughout the season. Having a great center in their own right, this game should hit the over after the combined score two games ago was 236.

Los Angeles Clippers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Top Player Props

James Harden Over 22.5 points at 1.78: As James Harden has remained one of the best scorers in the league, he has found a way to do it by attacking the basket. Not being the three-point shooter he once was, the point guard has still averaged 21.2 points a game working on the inside and free throw line. With an offensive shootout battle against Shai Gilegous-Alexander, he should go over his season average.

Chet Holmgren Over 8.5 rebounds at 1.71: Seeing that Chet Holmgren has become a much more physical presence from year one, he can go up against a little more Ivica Zubac and pull down many boards. With a lot of support coming from Jalen Williams as well, Holmgren has averaged 8.7 boards a night. Looking at this, the Thunder should rely on him as their number-one rebounder again and to hit the over.

Los Angeles Clippers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Injury News & Impact

Los Angeles Clippers Injuries: As Kawhi Leonard is still out for this Clippers squad, they have managed to play very well without him through the first 10 games this season. With many young players stepping up and getting stronger, this group should be able to run the same rotations heading into this game.

Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries: Although Oklahoma City is missing a defensive specialist, center Isiash Hartenstien, Chet Holmgren has done a great job replacing him and should help Oklahoma City have top units on both ends of the floor.

Clippers vs Thunder Head-to-Head Trends

Although the Clippers used to own this matchup, Oklahoma City has turned it around by winning two straight of their own. Heading into this game, they hope to further improve upon that streak as they have recently managed to Los Angeles by 10+ points, continuously. Although this game will end up a lot closer due to improvements on both sides, OKC has been 4-1 against the spread in the last 5 games and scored over 104 points in every single matchup.

Betting Insights & Public Trends

Seeing this game, the Oklahoma City Thunder are favored to win this game by 81.8% of the betters against Los Angeles.

Clippers vs Thunder Final Prediction

Seeing that the Los Angeles Clippers enter this game having one of the most underrated and well-coached teams, they will keep it competitive against OKC but could potentially end up losing to them due to super-stardom. With James Harden going up against Shai-Gilegous Alexander, these two guards have some great size against each other and should keep attacking at dominating levels. Even though their defensive games have been much improved on both sides, the biggest key is that their similar stature doesn’t give any player an advantage over another. Both also have great all-around games, Alex Caruso will be guarding Norman Powell out wide. As Powell has had an amazing early season run with his scoring ability and growth as a paint-scorer, his defense also remains a big part of his game. But, the important thing here is that Caruso has shown to completely lockdown some of the best scorers and can create steals at a higher rate giving the Clippers more positions. With the inside matchup being Chet Holmgren against Ivica Zubac, many would think the Clippers center would win due to muscle. But, the reality is that Holmgren is way more quicker and skilled leading to easy transition dunks while being able to chase someone like Zubac wherever he goes. Being one of the best blockers in the game, Holmgren should have another great outing since Derrick Jones Jr. hasn’t provided much offense which leads to Jalen Williams helping Holmgren inside. As Williams is someone who can steal multiple passes and help be a perimeter shooter, Jones could do a good job on him if he can understand the quick release. The biggest key to the Clippers' success in this game will be the strength of Luguentz Dort to completely take out Terrance Mann, making it a lot more 5 vs 4 positions. Seeing this, the Clippers can still win the game, but their bench pieces like Kevin Porter Jr. and Kris Dunn will have to play at extremely high levels.

Our prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder to win, while Clippers win +9.5 spread and score goes over 217.5 points.