The LA Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder are tied at one apiece in their regular season series. We should see an entertaining back-and-forth tomorrow.

Catch the game tomorrow at 9:00 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: LA Clippers (36-17, 16-11 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

• James Harden
• Paul George
• Terrence Mann
• Kawhi Leonard
• Ivica Zubac

The Clippers went to the All-Star break a bit shaky. They alternated wins and losses over their last five games (3-2) and were on a negative net rating in that span, scoring 119.4 points and allowing 122.6 on the other end.

Make no mistake about this squad, though. They have been a finely tuned machine since the start of December, and the momentum it has built is vital. Kawhi Leonard leads the pack with 24.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game and an efficient shooting split of 52.7%/45.3%/89.1%. 

Second fiddle Paul George is right there with him too, and was actually the top scorer during the 128-117 win over the Thunder last January 17th, pouring in 38 points, seven boards, five dimes, and three steals.

Russell Westbrook, James Harden (17.5 PPG, 8.4 APG), Norman Powell (13.4 PPG) remain as the main support for the two superstars. Big man Ivica Zubac, who’s coming off an injury, is there as well. He looked good and had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds during last week’s victory against the Golden State Warriors.

HOME: Oklahoma City Thunder (37-17, 21-6 HOME)

Projected starting five:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• Josh Giddey
• Lu Dort
• Jalen Williams
• Chet Holmgren

The young and upstart Thunder are 5-2 over their last seven games, averaging 121.1 PPG while allowing 118.4 in return across that stretch.

All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will look to be assertive and flex his continuously rising status. Along with being one of the leading scorers in the league at 31.1 PPG, he’s also filling other categories nicely, with 5.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and a league-leading 2.2 steals per game. Top Rookie of the Year candidate Chet Holmgren will man the paint as per usual, boasting 16.7 points, 7.6 boards, and 2.6 blocks, which ranks fourth overall. 

Second-leading scorer Jalen Williams will have a spotlight too as he had a team-high 25 points and seven assists on an efficient 10-for-14 shooting the last time they faced the Clippers.

Wing defender Lu Dort (10.6 PPG) and facilitator Josh Giddey (11.4 PPG, 6.1 APG, 4.5 APG) take the fourth and fifth options of the team.

PREDICTIONS:

Handicap: The Thunder (-2) fail to cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total goes under 237.