Thunder Fall To Clippers Again

Grant Belcher, News9.com

LOS ANGELES – The Clippers have officially cemented themselves as a team the Thunder might not want to meet in the playoffs.

L.A. finished off the season series against OKC with a 92-77 victory, giving Los Angeles the 3-1 advantage over the Thunder on the year.

The Thunder suffered a frustrating loss a week earlier in the Clippers, and were blown out by them on Jan. 30.

Oklahoma City's lone win against L.A. this year came on Mar. 21 with a 114-91 victory at home.

But on Monday, it was a brutal shooting night that did the Thunder in, as none of Oklahoma City's main offensive weapons could find the mark.

OKC shot 37 percent from the field, 23 from 3-point range and 61 percent from the free throw line in the game.

The numbers gave Los Angeles a distinct advantage in the scoring pace despite the fact that it shot just 44 percent.

Oklahoma City gained an early lead and held it through the end of the first with a 27-21 margin.

It increased the lead to double digits shortly into the second quarter and managed to keep the Clippers at arm's length for the rest of the half.

But the game took a turn that was eerily similar to Wednesday's frustrating loss to the same team. The Clippers began to chip away at the lead and eventually took control of it in the mid-fourth quarter.

The real damage, however, was done over a span of four minutes late in the fourth.

Los Angeles went on a 13-2 run, part of a 24-point turnaround overall, to take a commanding lead and finish out the game. OKC scored 11 points in the entire fourth quarter and 25 total in the second half

The Thunder's poor shooting night overall was easily reflected in that of its stars.

Kevin Durant finished with 24 points on 7-of-18 shooting, including 0-of-7 from beyond the arc.

Russell Westbrook struggled shooting the ball, going just 4-of-16 for nine points.

Nick Young had 19 points to lead the Clippers and Blake Griffin had 17 points to go with 11 rebounds and six assists.

Oklahoma City will visit the Phoenix Suns, who are now fighting for a playoff spot, on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. central time.