Thunder at Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are acting like a team intent on making the playoffs as they search for their fourth straight win and seventh in nine games when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. Outsiders pegged the Clippers as giving up on this season when they dealt leading scorer Tobias Harris at the trading deadline, but the team has responded with the strong run.
The Clippers soared past the Lakers - the Los Angeles team that is fading - 113-105 on Monday in their latest impressive outing. "The outside looking in, you'd say this team was trying to tank," point guard Patrick Beverley told reporters. "But the leaders we have, the new acquisitions we've got, the rookies we've got ... it makes us dangerous. A lot of people don't respect us yet. And that's fine." Oklahoma City moved into the third place in the Western Conference with a hard-fought 129-121 overtime road win over Portland on Thursday. "Great road win for us, especially this time of year," All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook said in a postgame television interview. "Got to get ready for (Friday). Everybody is fighting for position now. Every game is important for us."
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS Oklahoma, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE THUNDER (40-25): Westbrook scored 37 points and All-Star forward Paul George recorded 32 and 14 rebounds against Portland as Oklahoma City won for just the second time in its last seven contests. George, who is averaging 28.3 points versus the Clippers this season, was just 7-of-23 shooting against Portland and is just 15-of-48 shooting in two contests since returning from a three-game absence due to a shoulder injury. George made up for his poor shooting by going to the free-throw line a career-best 20 times against the Trail Blazers and making 17 attempts to match a career best.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (37-29): Los Angeles is opening a six-game homestand with matchups against Boston and Portland to follow the contest versus the Thunder. Danilo Gallinari, who is averaging 27 points versus Oklahoma City this season, scored 23 against the Lakers and has registered five 20-point efforts during the 6-2 stretch. Backup guard Lou Williams scored 21 points against the Lakers and has produced five 20-point performances in the last nine games while reserve power forward Montrezl Harrell recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds for his 14th double-double of the season.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Thunder are 2-1 against the Clippers this season as the home team has prevailed in all three matchups.
2. Oklahoma City F Jerami Grant was 6-of-9 shooting against Portland after being 11-for-34 over his previous three contests.
3. Los Angeles rookie SG Landry Shamet, who was acquired in the deal for Harris, is averaging 17.7 points over his last three games.