The Oklahoma City Thunder take on the LA Clippers today and it’s the first time that Paul George will be returning to OKC since asking for a trade that landed him to team up with Kawhi Leonard. I don’t think anyone knows how the crowd will react but my guess is that PG will be met with a lot of boos. There also isn’t any word as of yet if Kawhi will play given that this is the second night of a back to back. Kawhi played in San Antonio last night and hasn’t played many back to backs this season so I would guess he’s out. Whether he sits or plays, the Clippers will be a hard team to beat. They’re 4-4 without him and 18-5 wit him. Here are the keys for a Thunder victory tonight.
1. LIMIT FOULING
This is a bad mix for the Thunder. They currently rank 9th in fouls per game and the Clippers tank 2nd in free throw makes. Even though they rank 11th in free throw percentage, because they make so many a game, it pretty much evens out. This is a team you do not want to foul. I’ve said this over and over, the Thunder are able to play with any team in the league and keep it close. Only lost to the Clippers by 2 when they played in LA earlier this season. It might come down to free throws and the Clippers will more than likely hit theirs. The senseless fouls early in a quarter could haunt them in the end of the game.
2. DO A MUCH BETTER JOB REBOUNDING
This is another bad mix for the Thunder. The Clippers currently rank 3rd in total rebounds, 4th in offensive rebounds, and 1st in second chance points. Additionally, the Thunder rank 27th in rebounding and give up the 7th most second chance points. If this is a trend in tonight’s game, the Thunder will get blown out. It’s that simple. They cannot give up those kind of numbers to any team and expect to win. Especially the Clippers. A few guys will have to step up, put in some effort, and go after rebounds more.
3. LIMIT TURNOVERS
We’re 3 for 3 on the keys being a bad mix after this one. The Clippers currently rank 9th in creating turnovers and 4th in points off of turnovers. The Thunder rank 11th in turnovers. The Clippers will certainly take advantage of the Thunder turnovers. Turnovers are unavoidable. It’s unrealistic to ask a team not to turn the ball over. What we can ask them to do is limit them and if you’re going to turn the ball over, make it a dead ball turnover so the defense can get set up. Don’t want to give the Clippers an extra opportunities or advantages.
It will definitely be a tough game. The Clippers are amongst the NBA’s elite. The fans will be excited. Paul George will be amped. This will potentially be the best game of the night. If the Thunder can follow these keys, they’ll be able to get a victory.
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