Tonight marks the first of two meetings this week between the Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers. This also wraps up the Thunder’s first set of back-to-back road games of the season after last night’s 101-98 loss at the Sacramento Kings.
The Clippers will be without leading scorer Eric Gordon, who was expected to be out at least 10 days as of Tuesday with a groin injury. Gordon was averaging 18.9 points on 50.6% shooting. L.A. will also be without rookie forward Blake Griffin, the No. 1 overall draft pick and Oklahoma native who is sidelined with a knee injury.
The Clippers added a few new faces to their roster this season in backup point guard Sebastian Telfair and forward Rasual Butler, who through eight games struggled with his shot (38.7% shooting).
The Clippers won three straight prior to a loss to New Orleans on Monday.
The Thunder, at 3-4, is looking for its second road win of the season.
About the Clippers
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Homecourt: Staples Center
Founded: 1970-71 Buffalo Braves; 1978-79 San Diego Clippers; 1984-85 L.A. Clippers
Thunder vs. Kings series: 3-1 Clippers
Did You Know? The Clippers have only six winning seasons in franchise history.
One to Watch
L.A. Clippers center Chris Kaman. This guy gets a lot credit for helping the Clippers to the cusp of .500 through the early season. With the team struggling with injuries, conditioning and chemistry, Kaman has been consistent. The Clippers center posted 20 points or more in six straight games this season. He leads the Clippers in scoring (21.9 points), field goal percentage (57.3%) and rebounding (9.4). Kaman played in just two games against the Thunder last season, averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds. Expect to see Nenad Krstic, Etan Thomas and Nick Collison get their crack at Kaman.
Fun to Watch
Point guards Baron Davis and Russell Westbrook. The two Los Angeles natives and former UCLA Bruins faced one another three times last season. Both are explosive playmakers. Davis’ best performance of the early season came in a win over his former team, the Golden State Warriors, in which he finished with 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting with seven assists. Westbrook, in his second season, is averaging 16.9 points, 7.9 assists and 5.3 rebounds a game. He posted a season-high 33 points in a Nov. 6 loss to Houston.
In the Community
As part of the Thunder's Holiday Assist, the organization will be collecting donations in the tent outside the Ford Center from 4:30 - 6 p.m. on Sunday before the Thunder hosts the Clippers. A donation of at least two cans of food will get a voucher good for two tickets to an upcoming Thunder home game (not including Sunday's game). Vouchers can be redeemed at the Box Office. Food will go to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.
Around the Web
As mentioned earlier, the Clippers’ second-leading scorer, Eric Gordon, will be out at least another six games.
The Clippers will be without leading scorer Eric Gordon, who was expected to be out at least 10 days as of Tuesday with a groin injury. Gordon was averaging 18.9 points on 50.6% shooting. L.A. will also be without rookie forward Blake Griffin, the No. 1 overall draft pick and Oklahoma native who is sidelined with a knee injury.
The Clippers added a few new faces to their roster this season in backup point guard Sebastian Telfair and forward Rasual Butler, who through eight games struggled with his shot (38.7% shooting).
The Clippers won three straight prior to a loss to New Orleans on Monday.
The Thunder, at 3-4, is looking for its second road win of the season.
About the Clippers
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Homecourt: Staples Center
Founded: 1970-71 Buffalo Braves; 1978-79 San Diego Clippers; 1984-85 L.A. Clippers
Thunder vs. Kings series: 3-1 Clippers
Did You Know? The Clippers have only six winning seasons in franchise history.
One to Watch
L.A. Clippers center Chris Kaman. This guy gets a lot credit for helping the Clippers to the cusp of .500 through the early season. With the team struggling with injuries, conditioning and chemistry, Kaman has been consistent. The Clippers center posted 20 points or more in six straight games this season. He leads the Clippers in scoring (21.9 points), field goal percentage (57.3%) and rebounding (9.4). Kaman played in just two games against the Thunder last season, averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds. Expect to see Nenad Krstic, Etan Thomas and Nick Collison get their crack at Kaman.
Fun to Watch
Point guards Baron Davis and Russell Westbrook. The two Los Angeles natives and former UCLA Bruins faced one another three times last season. Both are explosive playmakers. Davis’ best performance of the early season came in a win over his former team, the Golden State Warriors, in which he finished with 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting with seven assists. Westbrook, in his second season, is averaging 16.9 points, 7.9 assists and 5.3 rebounds a game. He posted a season-high 33 points in a Nov. 6 loss to Houston.
In the Community
As part of the Thunder's Holiday Assist, the organization will be collecting donations in the tent outside the Ford Center from 4:30 - 6 p.m. on Sunday before the Thunder hosts the Clippers. A donation of at least two cans of food will get a voucher good for two tickets to an upcoming Thunder home game (not including Sunday's game). Vouchers can be redeemed at the Box Office. Food will go to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.
Around the Web
As mentioned earlier, the Clippers’ second-leading scorer, Eric Gordon, will be out at least another six games.
