West Round 2 Preview: (2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (3) Los Angeles Clippers

There are four All-Stars in the series, but Scott Brooks might be the pivotal character.

By Jeremy Conlin (@jeremy_conlin)

By The Numbers

Oklahoma City:
59-23 (34-7 Home; 25-16 Road)
PPG: 106.2 (5th); PPG Allowed: 99.8 (12th)
+6.3 Average Scoring Margin (3rd)
Off Rating: 108.1 (7th); Def Rating: 101.0 (5th)
+7.1 Net Efficiency Rating (3rd)

Los Angeles:
57-25 (34-7 Home; 23-18 Road)
PPG: 107.9 (1st); 101.0 (14th)
+7.0 Average Scoring Margin (2nd)
Off Rating: 109.4 (1st); Def Rating: 102.1 (7th)
+7.3 Net Efficiency Rating (2nd)

Season Series: Tied 2-2
Los Angeles 111, Oklahoma City 103 (November 13)
Oklahoma City 105, Los Angeles 91 (November 21)
Los Angeles 125, Oklahoma City 117 (February 23)
Oklahoma City 107, Los Angeles 101 (April 9)

West Round 1 Preview: (3) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (6) Golden State Warriors

DeAndre Jordan improved by leaps and bounds in 2014.

By Jeremy Conlin (@jeremy_conlin)

By the Numbers

Los Angeles:
57-25 (34-7 Home; 23-18 Road)
PPG: 107.9 (1st); 101.0 (14th)
+7.0 Average Scoring Margin (2nd)
Off Rating: 109.4 (1st); Def Rating: 102.1 (7th)
+7.3 Net Efficiency Rating (2nd)

Golden State:
51-31 (27-14 Home; 24-17 Road)
PPG: 104.3 (10th); PPG Allowed: 99.5 (10th)
+4.8 Average Scoring Margin (T-4th)
Off Rating: 105.3 (12th); Def Rating: 99.9 (3rd)
+5.4 Net Efficiency Rating (6th)

Season Series: Tied 2-2
Los Angeles 126, Golden State 115 (October 31)
Golden State 105, Los Angeles 103 (December 25)
Golden State 111, Los Angeles 92 (January 30)
Los Angeles 111, Golden State 98 (March 12)

Points In The Paint - November 14

Andrew Wiggins has moved on up to the college ranks, but he won't be there for long. (Flickr)

By Jeremy Conlin (@jeremy_conlin)

We've been playing NBA basketball for two and a half weeks now, so there's no time like the present to talk a stroll around the league and check in on a few happenings here and there. But before we get to the pros, let's take a quick look at the amateur ranks.

The Kids Are All Right

Freshman Phenoms Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, and Julius Randle introduced themselves to the nation at large on Tuesday night in the Champions Classic from Chicago. They did not disappoint.

Does Antawn Jamison Actually Help The Clippers?

Antawn Jamison has always been a good offensive player, but his poor defense could be a problem for the Clippers.

By Bennett Corcoran

The Los Angeles Clippers have made plenty of splashes this summer during free agency and attempted to shore up the frontcourt by signing veteran forward Antawn Jamison. Although his numbers dipped last season in a reserve role with the other team in Los Angeles, he still served as a productive bench spark capable of scoring in bunches. The team managed to stock up on shooters with the additions of J.J. Redick, a career 39.0% from three-point range, Jared Dudley, a career 40.5% sniper, and Reggie Bullock, who shot 43.6% from beyond the arc at North Carolina last season. Signing Jamison could bolster them enough for a deep playoff run in a loaded Western Conference.

Unfortunately though, Jamison doesn't seem to strengthen Lob City’s glaring weakness in its frontcourt.