Upcoming West Coast Road Trip Pivotal for Thunder Playoff Hopes
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After taking down the Phoenix Suns 124-120, Oklahoma City will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Clippers on Tuesday night. Now at 35-36 on the season, the Thunder sit in eighth place in the Western Conference prior to the two-game stint against Los Angeles.
The Clippers, on the other hand, are 38-36 this season, currently the fifth seed in the Western Conference postseason standings. OKC is only 2.5 games behind LA, and with two consecutive matchups against former Thunder stars Paul George and Russell Westbrook this week, Oklahoma City could find themselves just a half game behind the Clippers with a pair of victories.
When OKC met Los Angeles earlier this season, the teams played a similar schedule, with the Clippers playing two consecutive games at the Paycom Center. Without Kawhi Leonard, the Thunder took down Los Angeles in both matchups for their first two wins of the season back in late October.
In two games against the Clippers this season, All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 28.5 points, seven assists, five rebounds, three steals and 1.5 blocks. SGA will need two more impressive outings to beat LA this week, as the Clippers are 5-1 in their last six contests.
Following the team's two game series against Los Angeles, Oklahoma City will stay in the City of Angels for a matchup against Westbrook's previous squad, the Los Angeles Lakers. Fresh off of a victory over the Orlando Magic led by 35 points off the bench from former Oklahoma Sooner Austin Reaves, the Lakers are clinging to the final Play In spot in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles is 35-37 on the year, only a half game behind OKC. A victory over the Lakers on Friday would go a long way for the Thunder's postseason hopes, widening the gap between Oklahoma City and LA.
This will be no easy task though, as OKC faces off against the Clippers and Lakers on consecutive nights. Los Angeles is still fighting for its chances at a postseason berth as well, meaning every game is crucial for the Lakers.
The Thunder are 1-1 against Los Angeles this season, with the last meeting against the Lakers coming as a six point loss in OKC on March 1. Still missing LeBron James due to a foot injury, LA is 5-3 in its last eight games.
Oklahoma City will round out its trip to the West Coast with a matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland is 31-40 on the season, slipping further out of the Play In race with five consecutive losses.
Despite the Trail Blazers record, Damian Lillard is always a threat to take over the game, and with Portland clawing to try and get back into postseason contention, the All-NBA guard will look to have a big performance. This season, OKC is 3-0 against the Blazers with the most recent victory coming on Feb. 10.
If the Thunder are able to return to the Modern Frontier with a winning record, the team's murky postseason odds will look much clearer.
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