Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 12/18/2021

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK

Where to watch: Bally Sports Oklahoma, Bally Sports Southern California

DraftKings: Clippers -4

BetMGM: NL

Caesars: NL

Clippers: 16-13 (5th place, Western Conference)

Thunder: 8-19 (15th place, Western Conference)

Clippers: lost 124-103 at Jazz on Wednesday

Thunder: lost 113-110 vs. Pelicans on Wednesday

Rumor has it that the Oklahoma City Thunder still have cold sweats at night knowing that Devonte’ Graham just fully removed their collective soul.

But the good news for the Thunder is they have a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday that could exorcise some of those demons.

I’d normally back away from the Thunder in a game like this. The line opened at 4.5 in favor of the Clippers, not giving the Thunder much wiggle room for a cover if the game somehow gets out of hand. But it’s likely that Paul George will not return to the lineup just yet due to an elbow injury that has kept him out, notably in the 21-point loss they had against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday in Salt Lake City.

Marcus Morris Sr. returned from some neck trouble and had a team-high 24 points, while Eric Bledsoe chipped in with 21 points off the bench. Defense, however, did not come to the Clippers’ aid on that night. The Jazz shot 52.8 percent from the floor while Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert went off, per usual.

"I didn't blitz him soon enough. He had already got in a rhythm but I thought with their shooters we could just play them 2-on-2 like we did in the first half and we'd be fine. But like I said, he's a great player, he took over the game," Los Angeles coach Tyronn Lue said of Mitchell.

The loss ended the Clippers’ four-game winning streak and a stretch of five wins in six games. L.A. is down key defensive contributors in George and Nicolas Batum, and even Serge Ibaka’s presence in the low post is missing from the group right now.

If you’re looking to play this game, I’d proceed with caution. The Thunder clearly are overmatched when it comes to facing playoff teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks, but even a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans would not have happened unless that 61-foot shot from Graham didn’t go in at the buzzer on Wednesday in that 3-point loss.

All the effort from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went for naught when he finished with 33 points and hit a ridiculous, off-balance 3-pointer to tie the game before Graham’s miracle shot.

"I thought we put ourselves in a really good position all things considered, but when you lose a game that tight, it stings," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.

There’s one component as to why I’m leaning toward the Thunder: Revenge game. Sure, it’s been a minute since SGA went from being the point guard of the future in L.A. and learning from Chris Paul, to getting shipped to OKC in the blockbuster that brought George to Staples Center. Something in the back of his mind has to say he wants to stick it to the Clippers every now and then. Even though that line is risky, I’d be more comfortable with the upset. Thunder by 3

The Clippers are 9-14 ATS as a favorite this season.

The Clippers are 35-18 straight up in their last 53 games against Northwest Division opponents.

The Clippers are 6-1 ATS off a loss by 20 or more.

The Thunder are 6-1 ATS this season after a stretch of losing three of four.

The Thunder are 6-1 ATS this season off a cover where they lost the previous game straight up.

PG: Reggie Jackson

SG: Luke Kennard
SF: Terance Mann
PF: Marcus Morris Sr.
C: Ivica Zubac

PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

SG: Josh Giddey
SF: Luguentz Dort
PF: Darius Bazley
C: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

Clippers: Paul George (elbow, out), Nicolas Batum (ankle, out), Serge Ibaka (COVID, out), Kawhi Leonard (knee, out)

Thunder: Lu Dort (ankle, questionable)