Injury Report, Updated Odds (12/21): Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Two of the top four teams in the Western Conference are facing off on Thursday. The Oklahoma City Thunder hosts the Los Angeles Clippers. This is the first of three games the two teams will play this season.

Coming into this game, the Clippers are absolutely rolling, having won nine games in a row. They started the season off hot, then traded for James Harden, which saw them go on a losing streak. Since then, the Clippers have figured out how to play with their new-look squad to start rolling.

The 17-8 Thunder look to defend its No. 2 seeding in the Western Conference against a rolling Clippers team. This game is due to be a fun one.

Injury Report:

Thunder:

Keyontae Johnson, OUT (G League)

Clippers:

Kawhi Leonard, OUT (Hip)

Paul George, AVAILABLE (Illness)

Mason Plumlee, OUT (Knee)

Moussa Diabate, OUT (Hip)

With the Clippers' win-streak on the line, it's hard to imagine both George or Leonard don't play tonight. They're headed to a tough place to play in Oklahoma City on the second night of a back-to-back -- that's tough enough as is. If they're without their two stars, things could get dicey for them.

For the Thunder, taking care of business and maintaining a good offensive rhythm will be huge, no matter who plays. Having a fully healthy squad is beneficial when it comes to that.

Updated Odds:

Despite being on a nine-game winning streak, the Clippers are 4.5-point underdogs to the Thunder. With this, the oddsmakers must believe the Clippers are going to be without their big-impact players.

The Thunder has shown their ability to take care of business as favorites this season, putting teams away that they should be beating. One would have to assume this is the case if both George and Leonard are out tonight.

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