Former pro Chandler Parsons had said last week that the Clippers would be OKC’s toughest opponents come playoffs. Well, they got their chance to prove it—as both of them meet tonight at the Intuit Dome. The Clips have found a resurgence as of late—winning 5 on the bounce and boasting to the joint-second best form in the league, with 8 wins from the last 10. The only two teams better than that? Houston Rockets, and you guessed it—Oklahoma City Thunder.
The first 3 of the 5-game win streak they’re on were against bottom-half teams, which raised speculation of easy pickings. But after wins over the Cavs and Grizzlies, the Thunder could be in a weight class doable for the Lob City. So, who does Ty Lue have in the bag for a dub tonight?
Clippers injury report and predicted lineup ahead of OKC clash
If James Harden needs an introduction, then I ought to throw away the rock you’ve been living under. He’s balling hard even at the ripe age of 35. His box numbers of 22.6/5.8/8.7 were only aided by his beastly 50-pointer vs the Suns, 31/10 double-double vs Hornets, and 30/9 shooting approx. 57% against the Grizzlies. What’s crazier is that all of these have come just in March. He’s barely put a foot wrong all season, and barely missed a game all season—just the 3 out of the Clippers’ 70. That number isn’t turning 4 anytime soon, as the Beard is set to play against his old team tonight.
The reception Kawhi Leonard has gotten in his career has been a bit of a mixed bag. Don’t get me wrong—on his day, he’s one of the best the NBA has ever seen. But how often does that day actually come? It seems like winning a championship ring was easier than besting the injury demon over his near 15-year career. He’s only played 27 games this season. But he’s managed to string a few games into the team as of recent. That run will continue into tonight, as he’s also set to play against the Thunder.
The rest of LA’s squad is pretty rock solid, apart from two. We already know Seth Lundy’s long awaited return after his surgery to remove a medial ankle bone spur on his left ankle in May 2024. But the other don on the list is guard Jordan Miller. Miller continues to deal with a left hamstring injury and will miss a fifth straight game, which confirms that he’s out for tonight as well. It’s a shame for sure, as he’s really been showing himself as a solid rotation option in his breakthrough season.
Image Credits: Imagn
That being said, this is the Clippers’ predicted lineup for the Thunder clash:
Point Guard
James Harden
Shooting Guard
Kris Dunn
Small Forward
Norman Powell
Power Forward
Kawhi Leonard
Center
Ivica Zubac
Seems like the Clippers will have their chance of reckoning against the Thunder this season. After the Cavs’ vulnerability exposed during their current 4-game losing streak, the Thunder will be their biggest task so far. They’re winless in 4 against them. So will Thunder strike for a 5th time tonight, or will James Harden and Co. come out victorious?
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