Game Preview: Clippers look to sweep Knicks

The LA Clippers look to find their stride heading into their stretch run, and will host an ailing New York Knicks team who has lost seven of the last ten.

LA Clippers (41-29) look to sweep the New York Knicks (27-42) and inch ever so closer to the four seed. The Clippers are looking for consistency down the stretch, while the Knicks look to be imploding even more before our eyes.

The Clippers are coming off a win against the superstar-less Cleveland Cavaliers. A win might be a win but to say the Clippers are struggling is an under statement. LA is looking to refocus so they can regain their footing in the playoff hunt.

In a game where winning cures about all, the LA Clippers arrive at a stretch where there looks to be a couple of easier wins. Nothing is coming easy for LA except when three super stars take a game off. LA is working to find their rhythm and identity.

The New York Knicks are working just to make it to the end of the season. The season has become full of distractions ranging from owner James Dolan (Charles Oakley Incident) to president Phil Jackson (Melo fiasco) and coach Jeff Hornacek (losing his team). We could go on but we don’t have that kind of time.

Let’s look what the LA Clippers need to do to be successful.

Mar 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) dribbles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during a NBA game at the Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Cavaliers 108-78. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Be Aggressive

The Clippers have looked their best when they get penetration into the paint then kick out to their shooters. Opponents have to look out for the lobs to the Clipper’s Skywalkers, so you pick your poison when the Clippers are working like the machine they can be. Keyword is “can be”. If they have an on switch, it would be nice to be flipped on the rest of the way.

Whoever handles the ball (so many to name) needs to have the Knicks switching like crazy and running their men into screens to get free. J.J Redick benefits the most from these screens to get open, but that will be touched later.

Their shooters need to take in rhythm shots, and not hesitating if they have an open shot. They need easy buckets either by their defense creating easy transition points or driving for high percentage shots in the pain.

Blake Griffin needs to come into this game like how he played against the Cleveland Cavaliers. His in rhythm shot looks like a thing of beauty but when he hesitates just looks like the timing on his whole shot is off. We missed Blake while he was out, now he needs to be that Top five player he is capable of being.

J.J. needs to get started early

The Clippers open the offense so much more when J.J Redick gets his shot to go in early. It creates the spacing for the offense to run.

Similar to the Warriors from starting outside then going in, it works when Redick gets going early. It opens the floor for Griffin and Chris Paul to do their midrange game, and it gives open corner three to Luc Mbah a Moute.

This all happens with a couple of made shots from Redick. It is what makes him so important to the team. Chris Paul might be the “Point God” but J.J is huge to what the Clippers do, don’t believe what others might say.

J.J. coming off a screen and letting it fly is always a good sign.

Mar 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LA Clippers guard J.J. Redick (4) celebrates in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during a NBA game at the Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Cavaliers 108-78. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

De-fence De-fence!

This can easily become a blowout if the Clippers defense can knock the Knicks off their game. The needs to come to play both ends. LA has a chance to build their confidence against some weaker teams, but still have to play together.

They have not played well consistently, and it has shown in their wins and loses. The team needs to start slowly putting together strong quarters and work up to games. It seems like its like pulling teeth to get a quarter full of defense at times.

The bench and their defense will be even more important because when the bench can play great defense their offense looks to rival some starting offensive teams. Their bench has beautiful ball movement and getting steals gets the energy going. The lead grows or deplete with the bench, we need a strong showing tonight.

Outcome

The LA Clippers will come out with an easy win tonight. In front of a home crowd and looking to turn the corner as they head to the playoffs, expect a good showing with more fluid ball movement. Turnovers have been such a huge problem but look for the Clippers to take care of the ball better moving forward.

Expect big games from both teams stars, a Griffin and Paul led Clippers team against Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks.

Make sure to turn in as well

TV: TNT

Radio: AM 570 Clippers Radio

Home/Clippers News