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Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder preview

Clippers guard Jamal Crawford tries to drives on Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dion Waiters during the first half of the Clippers' 131-108 loss on Feb. 8.
(Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press)
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The Clippers play at Oklahoma City on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Pacific time.

They will be playing without Blake Griffin (right elbow) and Jamal Crawford (right calf bruise), who this year are averaging a combined 38.9 points a game. Griffin, who has been out since Feb. 8, did not make the trip. The Clippers are 8-5 without their superstar power forward.

Clippers point guard Chris Paul is banged up but expected to play after knocking knees with Golden State’s Stephen Curry on Sunday. An X-ray of his left knee showed no damage. Paul played Monday against Minnesota, but was not quite himself, finishing with only two points on one-for-six shooting, but he managed 15 assists in the Clippers’ 89-76 victory.

The Thunder will be missing Kevin Durant (sore foot) and Steve Novak (appendectomy).

In Durant’s absence, Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook has been on fire. He has had five triple-doubles in the Thunder’s last six games, during which he’s averaged 36.8 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists.

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The teams have split their two games this season, each winning at home. The Clippers had a 93-90 win over the Thunder on Oct. 30, and the Thunder had a 131-108 win over the Clippers on Feb. 8.

This will be the final game of the series this season.

The Clippers (41-23) are in fifth place in the Western Conference, 5 1/2 games ahead of the eighth-place Thunder. The Thunder have won seven in a row at home.

After playing the Thunder, the Clippers play at Dallas to conclude their trip.

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