Oklahoma City @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 16, 2018 ) L.A. Clippers 113, Oklahoma City 121

The Oklahoma City Thunder ruled out star point guard Russell Westbrook for Friday's road contest but Doc Rivers isn't buying it. The Los Angeles Clippers coach said he has been tipped off that Westbrook will be making his season debut when the teams meet at Staples Center.

Thunder coach Billy Donovan said Thursday that nothing has changed per the condition of Westbrook, who missed Tuesday's 108-100 season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors while recovering from right knee surgery. However, Rivers had this to say: "We're just preparing for West. We have inside sources. I'm breaking it now West is going to play." The Clippers lost their opener 107-98 to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday and are playing the middle contest of a three-game homestand that concludes against the Houston Rockets on Sunday. Oklahoma City is looking to split a two-game West Coast swing before returning for four at home, a stretch that ends with a rematch against the Clippers.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS Oklahoma, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE THUNDER (0-1): Westbrook underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Sept. 12, a procedure that was billed as minor in nature. The offseason acquisition of Dennis Schroder (19.4 average for Atlanta last season) gives Oklahoma City the ability to be patient and Schroder played well in the opener with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists against the Warriors. "There's a lot of positives," Schröder told reporters. "We played as a unit. We did a great job playing defensively, running, moving the ball, but we can still improve on a lot of things as well."

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (0-1): First-round pick Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has impressed the coaching staff and the point guard's debut was solid with 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting and four assists in 28 minutes. "I thought he did the best job of going downhill, getting into the paint, and either finishing or making plays," Rivers told reporters of the 20th overall pick. "Shai stood out as one guy who kept making the right plays." Forward Tobias Harris contributed a double-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Thunder won all three of last season's meetings and prevailed in seven of the past nine matchups.

2. Los Angeles PG Patrick Beverley missed all eight shots in 20 scoreless minutes against Denver.

3. Oklahoma City SF Paul George scored 27 points in the opener against Golden State but committed five turnovers.

PREDICTION: Clippers 99, Thunder 95