The LA Clippers (41-38) will be hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder (63-16) at Intuit Dome on Wednesday. The Thunder have won both games against the Clippers this season and have a winning streak of seven games in this series. The victories were by significant margins of at least 19 points each.
Three key storylines to watch out for in today’s game:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder aiming for the best record in the NBA again: The Thunder had the best record in the NBA last season and clinched their first title. They are now striving to achieve the same this season, with just one win away from securing the best record in the league and home-court advantage in the postseason. The Thunder have been in top form, winning 17 of their last 18 games and boasting an impressive record of 40-9 against the Western Conference this season. They have excelled in various statistical categories including points scored, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, turnovers, blocked shots, defensive efficiency, and net rating.
2. The Clippers’ remarkable turnaround: The Clippers’ transformation is nothing short of remarkable, going from a 6-21 record on Dec. 19 to a 35-17 record since then. Kawhi Leonard’s outstanding performance has been a driving force for the team, averaging 28 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. Darius Garland has also been a key player for the team, averaging 21.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game since joining the starting lineup on March 7. The duo will be crucial for the Clippers as they enter the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament next week.
3. Potential first-round preview: If the season ended today, the Thunder would hold the No. 1 seed in the West and face the No. 8 seed from the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament in the first round. The Clippers, currently at No. 8, have the opportunity to secure the No. 7 seed by winning their first Play-In game. However, if they lose, they will be in a single-elimination game for the No. 8 seed and a first-round matchup with the defending champion Thunder.
