The race for second place in the Western Conference is heating up with just a few games left in the regular season. While no one has a chance at catching the San Antonio Spurs thanks to that impressive win streak, the Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder are putting up an impressive fight for second place. Right now, the Thunder hold the lead, but the Clippers are playing some of their best basketball, making this a likely photo finish.
Kevin Durant is once again leading the way for the Thunder. He is on pace to earn his four NBA scoring title after averaging 32.0 points throughout the season. He had a streak of 41 consecutive games of scoring at least 25 points, but that ended against the Sacramento Kings after he was told to sit out the fourth quarter thanks to an impressive lead. Now, he will look to start a new streak as the Thunder lead the Clippers by 1 ½ games for the No. 2 seed in the West.
Durant loves playing the Clippers. In 24 games against the team, he has averaged 29.0 points. Over the past six meetings he has put up an average of 34.2 points. In their most recent game back in February, Durant put up 42 points. He made up for a struggling Russell Westbrook who went 3 for 13 for 13 overall points.
Los Angeles is not looking too bad themselves. The team has put together 18 wins in their last 21 games at an average of 110.8 points a night. They lead the league in scoring. In their most recent win they routed the Lakers while shooting 56.6 percent from the floor and going 10 of 19 from long range. In that game back in February, Chris Paul had 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists. His minutes have been limited recently, but he will likely go all game against Durant.
