Published on: Oct 28, 2022 1:42 am IST|Updated on: Oct 28, 2022 1:42 am IST
OKC vs LAC Dream11: The NBA action has returned with the usual fanfare and some more. We have already seen a bunch of exciting battles and as we head deeper into the season, the intensity levels will only rise up further. Teams look prepared on the offensive end while the defensive end still needs tweaking or two as players get their game shape back. Can the Los Angeles Clippers get their legs back as they face a popping Oklahoma City Thunder squad?
These two last played just a couple of days ago and in that game, the Oklahoma City Thunder prevailed 108:94 in a game where the Clippers were without their two key stars. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander landed 33 points while the Clippers folded in what was an underwhelming effort. Will Paul George play here to rescue the Clippers?
Host: Oklahoma City Thunder Visitors: LA Clippers Match Timing: 28 October, @ 05:30 AM Venue: Paycom Center
Thunder: Another tough season ahead The Thunder is a young team and they suffered a setback as their much-coveted rookie Chet Holmgren suffered a season-ending injury before the season even began. Exciting all-around sophomore Josh Giddey is injured now too whereas Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggles to string together healthy nights to be available. Thus, the rotations of the Thunder team are all over the place and this is a long-term project.
Shai has been the leading scorer for the Thunder for some time now and he hasn’t had enough help around him. Lugeuntz Dort needs to be more consistent but he has carved out a name as a two-way wing. Tre Mann has shown a lot of promise but there is one big concern. The team doesn’t have an NBA-level frontline and they haven’t even identified a big that can provide sustainable scoring or even give consistent rebounding. Will Thunder land someone like Victor Wembanyama in the next draft or can they become a much more winning unit?
Clippers: Kawhi keeps missing time Another heartbreaking start for the Clippers fans, a fanbase that keeps on being letdown by fate. Kawhi Leoanrd after missing all of the last season, again is facing injury-related issues and his availability keeps living big question marks. To add to the woes, Paul George was unavailable in the last game and this guy has been the undisputed leader of the team without Leonard. With him in the lineup, there is a lot of fight in the lineup, without him, they crumble like they did in the last game.
John Wall isn’t the All-Star level player anymore while Reggie Jackson’s rhythm has been broken because the rotations have been all over the place. Norman Powell’s form has become a concern at this point and without Marcus Morris, the team lacks another isolation scorer. Ivica Zubac continues to be a dependable rebounder and shot-blocker but he is not an assertive offensive player. How can the Clippers fix their rotations? Tyron Lue has a big task on his hands as the head coach.
Oklahoma City Thunder | LA Clippers Games: 04| 04 Wins: 01 | 02 Defeats: 03 | 02
Thunder Expected Starting Five Defensive Forward: PF: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl Wing: SF: Lugeuntz Dort Off-Ball Guard: SG: Aaron Wiggins Perimeter: PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | PG: Tre Mann
BENCH: Isaiah Joe, Darius Bazley, Lindy Waters III, Jaylin Williams, Eugene Omoruyi, Ousmane Dieng
Los Angeles Clippers Team News
Clippers Expected Starting Five Wings: SF/PF: Nicolas Batum | SF: Norman Powell Middle: C: Ivica Zubac Ball-Handling Guards: PG: Reggie Jacksonl | SG: Paul George
BENCH: John Wall, Robert Covington, Norman Powell, Brandon Boston Jr., Moses Brown, Amir Coffey, Jason Preston, Luke Kennard, Moussa Diabate, Terance Mann.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander(OKC) Points: 33 Rebounds: 05 Assists: 08 Blocks: 03 Steals: 03 Shai is a high-scoring guard who has been the leader of the Thunder team for some time now and continues to be an explosive presence. I believe he will be in 24+ points, 6-9 assists, and 4-7 rebounds range. He can be chosen as the Star-Player in the Dream11 NBA Prediction scene.
Paul George(LAC) George missed the last game and when he plays, he makes the Clippers a winning unit. He has already lodged a 40-point game and will be looking to build on the momentum. If he plays here, I expect a 20-30 points, 5-8 rebounds, and 4-7 assists range.
Tre Mann(OKC) Points: 25 Rebounds: 04 Assists: 04 Steals: 02 Tre has been doing a decent job as a scorer but he needs to do more as a three-point shooter to help the Thunder’s shooting woes. I expect a 16-23 points and 4-6 assists range here.
Ivica Zubac(LAC) Points: 10 Rebounds: 14 Assists: 02 Blocks: 07 Zubac has been a class above in terms of rebounding and blocking shots while giving regular paint production. I expect him to be in 8-14 points, 9-14 rebounds, and 1-4 blocks range here.
John Wall(LAC) Points: 12 Rebounds: 03 Assists: 04 Steals: 02 The former All-Star Wall isn’t the same player he used to be but he still brings a quality driving and playmaking game. I expect him to be in 12-17 points, 4-8 assists, and 1-3 steals range here.
Luguentz Dort(OKC) Points: 04 Rebounds: 02 Assists: 00 Dort shot 0/11 in the last game and the wing has a serviceable stroke and plays tough on defense, so he can recover from his awful night. I believe he will be in 15-22 points and 4-6 rebounds range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 30-45
OKC vs LAC Dream11 Lineup Balancers
(If George plays) PG: R Jackson, J Wall, S Gilgeous-Alexander(SP) SG: P George(PP) SF: L Dort, T Mann PF: J Robinson-Earl C: R Covington
(If George doesn’t play) PG: R Jackson(PP), J Wall, A Wiggins, S Gilgeous-Alexander(SP) SG: L Kennard SF: L Dort, T Mann PF: D Bazley C: I Zubac
Can the Clippers avenge their loss? Will Paul George play here? To find out, follow this game through the NBA League Pass, which has all the live games and their replay too. Get hold of Scores, news, and stats through the official website of NBA. The nine/ten minute highlights can be viewed on the official NBA YouTube channel.