The Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder are on a collision course to become the Western Conference's next great rivalryâ€"the next generation of the San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers clash of the small-market underdog and the flashy powerhouse.
The Thunder have received most of the acclaim this season and for good reasonâ€"Oklahoma City has taken control of the Western Conference, vying with only San Antonio to claim the first seed.
The Clippers, meanwhile, have gotten plenty of attention for their endless highlight production and significant improvement over a season ago.
Who will ultimately get the best of a Clippers vs. Thunder rivalry?
Who will ultimately get the best of a Clippers vs. Thunder rivalry?
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Thunder
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Clippers
They haven't gotten much recognition as a contender, but that may start to change after Monday's 92-77 victory over the Thunder.
Los Angeles held the Thunder to just 25 points in the second half, displaying a defensive proficiency unprecedented for a team earning its paychecks with lob passes and thunderous dunks. And they did all this despite subdued performances from Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, who scored 17 and 12 points respectively.
The Clippers also proved their bench unit is better than advertised. Mo Williams and Nick Young combined for 30 points while Kenyon Martin did the dirty work with nine rebounds, two steals and a block.
Of course, it's not just that the Clippers won this gameâ€"it's that they've beaten the Thunder three times in four tries, including a 12-point win back in January.
The meetings haven't been entirely one-sided though. The Thunder pummeled the Clippers 114-91 at home in March and have remained otherwise dominant at home all season long. Los Angeles did steal a game in Oklahoma last week, but it was a squeaker in which Russell Westbrook was just 3-of-14 from the floor.
The Thunder's improved performance at home could become important should these two teams meet in the second round, likely to the Clippers' detriment.
Whatever happens this season, though, the intrigue surrounding this matchup could become a running theme over the next few years.
The headlines love Paul, Griffin, Westbrook and Kevin Durant. These are superstar duos capable of winning games and making it look good.
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
A running MVP competition between Paul and Durant would certainly serve as a compelling subplot to the bigger picture.Â
Both teams are young, talented and destined to improve further. With the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs apparently nearing the ends of their respective dynasties, the stage is set for a new rivalry to dominate the Western Conference.
Don't be surprised if that rivalry is between the Clippers and Thunder.
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