Sporting an impressive 42-25 record, the mighty LA Clippers are currently the Western Conference's fourth seed. The Clips, led by All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, plus future Hall of Famer James Harden, are looking to create a bit of separation between themselves and the fifth-seeded New Orleans Pelicans (42-26). LA has two games over the next three days against the lowly Portland Trail Blazers (19-49), and is obviously hoping to capitalize on what should be an easy opportunity to compile wins.
The Clippers own a 2-0 season series record against Portland heading into tonight's bout in the Moda Center. LA has been struggling of late without injured key reserve Russell Westbrook, yet another future Hall of Famer on the Clips. Westbrook is grappling with a fractured left hand. The team has dropped four of its last five contests.
The game tips off at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET. Trail Blazers aficionados (or masochists, really) can check out the action via Root Spurts and Root Sports Plus. Clippers appreciators will be able to watch the clash on Bally Sports SoCal. Fans looking to watch the game out of the two teams' local markets will need to tune into League Pass.
LA is obviously the prohibitive favorite tonight. The Action Network has pegged the Clippers as -12.5 favorites. Beyond just a massive talent disparity, LA just has far more healthy bodies, which is a bit surprising to write at this point of the season.
Usually, Leonard and/or George are hurt, but both are currently fit as fiddles and angling for All-NBA spots. According to a recent league injury report, the Trail Blazers are without guards Malcolm Brogdon (right elbow tendinitis) and Shaedon Sharpe (lower abdominal surgery), plus center Robert Williams III (right knee ligament tear). Power forward Jerami Grant, the team's best player, is doubtful with a right hamstring strain. Guard Anfernee Simons (left knee tendinitis), wing Matisse Thybulle (right ankle soreness), and two-way player Ashton Hagans are all questionable to suit up for the Trail Blazers. Beyond Russell, LA could be without guards Terance Mann and Norman Powell, both of whom are questionable.
The biggest defensive coverage issue for LA will be in the middle. Big man Deandre Ayton has looked absolutely revitalized since making his return from a hand injury. Across his past six contests for Portland, the seven-footer out of Arizona has been averaging a bonkers 26.8 points on .635/.333/.824 shooting splits, 15 rebounds, one block, one assist and 0.7 steals a night. It will be intriguing to see Clippers head coach Ty Lue game plan against Ayton -- or if he'll just isolate passing lanes for him by having his guards and wings drape themselves all over their Portland counterparts. Ivica Zubac will have his work cut out for him. It may be interesting to try out the 6'10" George, still incredibly athletic even at age 33, on Ayton for a few plays.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Newsweek contributing writer Alex Kirschenbaum is a hoops fanatic who has managed to parlay his passion into a writing career. ... Read more
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