Clippers need to avoid the Thunder in playoffs

INGLEWOOD, Calif.— The Clippers were manhandled in a blowout loss to the Thunder 128-110. Los Angeles recorded a win-less record versus Oklahoma City this season.

For the third time this season, the Thunder defeated the Clippers by 15+ points. Throughout the year, it has been proven that Oklahoma City gives Los Angeles tons of trouble.

Oklahoma City is arguably the deepest team in the entire NBA and most of that is due to the surplus of guards. The Thunder guards dominate the tempo and control the pace against Los Angeles.

Especially on defense, the Thunder guards create issues that the Clipper offense can’t handle.

Thunder Guards

Lu Dort and Jalen Williams pestered the Clippers guards and racked up a combined five steals. Compliment that with Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder have a plethora of perimeter defenders.

“I thought their pressure from their guards, you know, didn’t allow us to own our space. They were physical, just trying to deny the basketball, pressure the basketball," said Coach Lue. “We just couldn’t get away from their pressure, and it slowed us down offensively.”

Defensive guards give the Clippers trouble because of the lack of play making from Los Angeles. Outside of Darius Garland, who was out tonight, the Clippers don’t have a guard to orchestrate the offense.

Only Garland can run the point as a starter, but the Thunder have many guards that can defend. Therefore, the Clippers lack the personnel to break the defensive pressure.

Along with the guard advantage, Oklahoma City also has the bigger team. The size difference for the Thunder is instrumental against the Clippers.

LA Lacks Size

In the Thunder’s starting lineup, they threw out Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, two players over seven feet. The only player that was over seven feet for the Clippers was Brook Lopez.

“Their length and size, it stood out tonight with Isaiah and Chet starting the game. We put our biggest out there with Brook and JC,” said Coach Lue. “We understand we’re going [to] be a small team, we got to be a more scrappy and physical team.”

When the second-tallest player on the roster is John Collins, that isn’t sustainable against Oklahoma City. Especially since the Thunder have Holmgren, who is a 7’4 all-star big man.

Holmgren decimated the smaller Clipper lineup with 30 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks. Combine that with Isaiah Hartenstein, who efficiently shot 80% from the field, the Thunder bigs made a major impact.

A double-big lineup from the Thunder is a huge problem for the Clippers. That’s the reason as to why Los Angeles doesn’t want to face Oklahoma City in the first round.

Avoiding OKC

With the Thunder clinching the first seed in the West, the Clippers can’t end up as the ninth seed. Los Angeles needs to secure the eighth seed at the end of the regular season.

An eight seed would allow the Clippers to have a chance to play for the final seventh seed in the play-in tournament. Therefore, the Clippers would avoid the Thunder and instead face the Spurs.

“Friday is the biggest game of the year for us to try and secure that eighth spot, said Coach Lue. So our guys know that we’re up for the challenge.”

On Friday, the Clippers play against the Trail Blazers, who are also competing for the eighth seed. If the Clippers lose, then they will most likely end up as the ninth seed.

The ninth seed placement means that if the Clippers win both games in the play-in, they will have to face the Thunder in the first round. A win against the Trail Blazers could save the Clippers from a bad match-up in Oklahoma City.