Thunder vs. Clippers NBA expert prediction and odds for Tuesday, Jan. 16 (Can OKC cov

The Oklahoma City Thunder have a brutal back-to-back after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, as they’ll take on the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena tonight. 

Bettors need to be careful in this game, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was questionable with a knee injury on Monday, but he ended up suiting up against the Lakers. Could OKC sit him out of this game? 

Oddsmakers seem to be leaning with some OKC players sitting out, as the team is a sizable underdog against the Clips. 

The Clippers lost to Minnesota on Sunday, but they have been one of the better teams in the West all season. Can they gain ground on OKC in this game? 

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Let’s dive into the odds and my best bet for this matchup: 

Thunder injury report

Clippers injury report

Oklahoma City Thunder

Jalen Williams: Gilgeous-Alexander was questionable in OKC’s last game, so there’s a chance he sits out the second night of a back-to-back with his knee ailment. Jalen Williams would likely be called upon to pick up the slack, and he’s had a great season to date. The second-year forward is averaging 18.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 54.4 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from 3. 

Los Angeles Clippers

James Harden: Harden shot just 4-for-14 from the field in the Clippers’ loss to Minnesota, but he’s been a steadying presence for the team this season. Los Angeles is 11-1 when Harden records double-digit assists this season, and the team is 8-2 when he scores 20 or more points. 

It’s possible that OKC may not have Gilgeous-Alexander, who was questionable on Monday, in the second night of a back-to-back. 

However, OKC is a league best 4-1 ATS on the second night of a back-to-back this season. The team is also 6-2-1 ATS as a road dog.

The Clippers are currently 11-8 as home favorites, but this is a bigger number than I’d expect for them to be asked to cover against an OKC team that is No. 4 in offensive rating, No. 5 in defensive rating and No. 2 in net rating this season. 

As favorites of 6.5 or more points at home this season, the Clippers are just 4-6 against the spread. 

Even without SGA (and he may still play), the Thunder have a lot of talent between Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams. I still like them to hang around in this game. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.