Los Angeles Clippers Look To Inch Closer To Third Place Tonight

With the standings in full view, the Los Angles Clippers look to inch closer to third place tonight in a game that is meaningful for playoffs.

Just one week ago the Clippers upset the OKC Thunder at Staples Center in a valiantly comeback victory because they were down 17 points in the 4th quarter and won by five points.

A brief recap of that game last week at Staples Center was that the Clippers were trailing most of the game at halftime down by 20 points and in the 1st half they could not make most of their shots they attempted.

The Clippers were being destroyed by the Thunder who were playing as a team and getting to the basket.

In the third quarter the momentum started to shift in the Clippers favor with Wesley Johnson making back to back three pointers.

Chris Paul was a major factor in the comeback that he helped assist in the plays that helped make the comeback possible.

Jamal Crawford heaved a circus shot to keep the lead in 4th quarter of the game along with Deandre Jordan who made his free throws in the clutch.

I can only imagine how the game will play out tonight with the Clippers being the road team in this game and especially with how the game ended last week.

Tonight is a rematch of what is to be many great rivalry games to come in the future.

Currently  the OKC Thunder are in third place in the Western Conference with a record of 43-20, while the Los Angeles Clippers sit in fourth at 41-21.

The Clippers winning will put them just a half game back behind the Thunder and closer to third place.

They will be climbing an uphill battle if they lose tonight because after this game their schedule is tough.

This is the tough part of their schedule with them facing the number one team in the East in the Cleveland Cavaliers,  then the San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies, and Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers in their next eight games.

Therefore a win tonight for the Clippers is huge and because the game is on the road.

I have three keys for offense and defense then my x-factors of the game that will decide the game.

• On offense they need start and finish the game by passing the ball around looking for the open man
• Drive strong to the basket to draw fouls on the Thunder
• Make all their free throws. Last week Deandre was clutch making all of his free throws in the last minute of the game

Here are my 3 keys on defense:

• Protect the paint and do not let Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant get to the basket. Make them earn their points.
• Limit fast break points
• Force Turnovers

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Lastly, they need to rebound the ball and stay out of foul trouble and only take three point shots wen did open.

Prediction: Clippers 121, Thunder 115