Clippers vs Thunder prediction

The Clippers are 2-8 and sit 4th of 5 in the Pacific, according to the strength summary built from league standings. Before that came home losses to Miami, 116-117, and Toronto, 118-125. Oklahoma City arrives at 8-4, seventh in the Western Conference, per reports. That record gap is the main reason the forecast leans toward the Thunder winning this NBA Cup group game in Los Angeles. Injuries cut both ways. Reports from 11 November said the Thunder were without Jalen Williams (ankle), Chet Holmgren (knee) and Cason Wallace (shoulder), and that Jaylin Williams had missed a fourth game with back spasms. The Clippers are also short-handed, based on a report dated 8 November that listed Bradley Beal with a knee issue and Jordan Miller out for several months after shoulder surgery. That news is several days old, so treat it as background. The thing to watch is the Thunder's injury report before tip-off. If those key players stay out, the gap between the two records matters less.