Two Western Conference stalwarts close Sunday’s NBA slate when the Los Angeles Clippers host the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The pregame narrative: Each team is riding a five-game winning streak heading into this contest, though I feel comfortable enough with the Clippers to bank a few extra points. In the prop market, look for James Harden and Chet Holmgren to fill the basket.
Check out my Thunder vs. Clippers SGP predictions for March 23.
Thunder vs. Clippers predictions
Parlay: Clippers +6.5 | Harden 20+ points | Holmgren 15+ points (+290)
Clippers +6.5 (-205): Los Angeles is finally healthy, and surprise, surprise … L.A. is playing its best basketball of the season.
The Clippers are 8-1 in their last nine games, picking up wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies.
Betting against OKC is scary, especially considering the team is 10-1 in March.
But L.A. has thrived in the home underdog role all season, going 8-4 ATS with a -0.8 average point differential.
The Clippers have yet to play the Thunder with a healthy lineup this year but lost by six in OKC when Norman Powell and Harden were playing.
NBA SGP legs
Harden 20+ points (-129): Harden is turning back the clock and I want in.
The veteran guard is averaging 27.0 PPG in March, scoring 20-plus points in 10 straight games. That’s his highest monthly scoring average since November by nearly five points.
Harden has averaged at least 20.0 PPG in every month this season, though, so this would be an attainable ask even in those “down” months.
OKC is a great defensive team, which is baked into this price point. But if Harden keeps firing at his current volume (17.0 shots/game in March), I like his chances.
Holmgren 15+ points (-159): I anticipate this to be a dogfight, meaning Holmgren will likely play big minutes.
The Thunder have understandably treated their big man with kid gloves after a concerning injury to start the year, but Mark Daigneault isn’t afraid to give him some run when it matters.
- In the past two weeks, Holmgren played north of 30 minutes against the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. He scored 23 and 16 points, respectively, in those matchups.
- Holmgren is 6-2 against this line when playing 30+ minutes this season.
The power forward has also taken 10-plus shots in six of seven games this month, giving us a solid baseline volume to work with.
Thunder vs. Clippers predictions made at 1:30 p.m. ET 03/23/2025.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.