Clippers at Thunder
Paul George returns to Oklahoma City for the second time since being traded to Los Angeles when the Clippers visit the Thunder on Tuesday. George was greeted with a friendly ovation in his return on Dec. 22 but was 6-of-17 shooting while scoring 18 points as the Clippers dropped a 118-112 decision.
George was one of four Los Angeles players to score at least 24 points in Sunday's 136-130 home victory over the Philadelphia 76ers that marked the club's fourth straight win. "Our focus has always been long term and Kawhi (Leonard) has definitely helped us with that, seeing the big picture and everything," George said of a teammate that was won two NBA Finals MVP awards. "Looking at the big picture, which of course is the trophy, we kind of check the milestones that we need to check. Like I've said before, when healthy we can beat anybody - and it's no disrespect to any other NBA team." Oklahoma City had a five-game winning streak halted in an inglorious fashion when the Milwaukee Bucks annihilated the club 133-86 on Friday. "We got a lot of really good looks, but our defense and our rebounding wasn't much tonight," Thunder All-Star point guard Chris Paul told reporters. "It's just an old-fashioned butt whooping."
TIME: 8 p.m. ET. TV: Prime Ticket, FS Oklahoma
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (41-19): Leonard (30 points), backup guard Lou Williams (24) and backup power forward Montrezl Harrell (24) also scored 24 or more against Philadelphia in the strong offensive showing. "We're still at a point where we want to get better," Leonard told reporters after notching his 20th 30-point effort of the campaign. "We're not being complacent at all. Hopefully we can stay healthy and keep building." Leonard has reached the mark in 12 of his last 19 appearances.
ABOUT THE THUNDER (37-23): Oklahoma City was blown out early by the NBA-best Bucks and competitive center Steven Adams wasn't thrilled to have it suggested the club has exceeded expectations in the aftermath. Adams immediately bought into the new direction after the trades of Russell Westbrook and George and coach Billy Donovan feels the big man from New Zealand represents a pillar of strength for the franchise. "He's a total team guy, I think being a guy that's been in the organization for a long period of time there's a seriousness about him of what we need to do," Donovan told reporters. "When he's in between the lines it's all business with him, he's trying to figure out ways that he can getter better and try and help our team. Whatever you throw at Steven, it's just whatever he can try and do to help the team."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The teams split two meetings this season with the home team winning both times.
2. Oklahoma City F Danilo Gallinari (ankle) hopes to return after missing the game against the Bucks.
3. Los Angeles reserve PG Reggie Jackson is averaging 9.6 points in five games since joining the club.