Preview: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Charlotte Bobcats
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Charlotte Bobcats
NBA / Interconference
Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC
Saturday, February 11th, 2012, 7:00 PM EST
Analysis of the Los Angeles Clippers
After a loss on the road to the Cleveland Cavaliers that, quite frankly, shouldn’t have happened, the Clippers will get an easier test on Saturday on the road at Charlotte. That’s not to say that the Clips have done poorly this season however, as they’ve gotten off to a better-than-expected 15-8 start and are sitting in 3rd place in the Western Conference. They’re playing like a championship team, and might well be if they can put together a few more wins during this current 6-game road test.
Analysis of the Charlotte Bobcats
The Bobcats knew coming into this season that it would be a rebuilding year, code for a year where you’re one of the worst few teams in the country. The goal is never to be the worst though, and that’s exactly what the Bobcats are at 3-22. They’ve dropped 12 straight games and haven’t won since mid-January, leaving little hope to salvaging this season (but high hopes for a good pick in the coming NBA Draft).
Key Players
Los Angeles Clippers: DeAndre Jordan
In games like this for the Clippers (against substandard opponents) you’d really like to see the team’s depth show. The Clippers know that Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Mo Williams, and Caron Butler are all solid pieces, but a big game from C DeAndre Jordan (against no really big man threats from the Bobcats) would make worrying about the Clippers glaring lack of size a lot less troublesome.
Charlotte Bobcats: Kemba Walker
The rookie and last year’s NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, PG Kemba Walker will get a stiff test against arguably the best PG in the league in Chris Paul. Walker has played very well this season (especially given his draft position, 9th overall), and has gotten lots of minutes on a below average squad. If he can step up to the challenge then the Bobcats might steal one from the Clippers.
Key Statistic
Points differential:
The Clippers are a fairly mediocre team in this regard, only scoring about 2 points more than their opponent on average so far this season. What makes this statistic so important is that Charlotte is the worst in the league at it, scoring about 13 points fewer than whomever they’re playing on any night. If Charlotte wants a shot at this game they’ll have to find some way to make up that 15-point total differential.
Clipper Vs Bobcats Ticket Prices:
Average to above average –
Bobcats Vs Clippers Tickets are pretty much sold out. The Clippers are only one of a handful of games that the Bobcats will actually sell out for this year. To get in the door TiqIQ is showing section 201 row J for $40.00 per ticket. When the Lakers played the Bobcats the same seats were $30.00 per ticket.
Lower Level Behind the basket section 107 or 108 are running about $173 per ticket on up to about $195 a ticket the Lakers was about $20.00 cheaper per seat.
Centers lower level Sections 115, 105, 113 run about $225 to $260 on TiqIQ.com which is about 10% higher then the same seats for the Lakers vs Bobcats game.
Just goes to show that the Clippers at least for now are becoming a stronger draw then the Lakers. Stubhub is showing about 100 tickets available, BobcatsTickets.com is showing about 70 tickets available, CheapClippersTickets.com is showing about 26 tickets available. TiqIQ is showing over 300 tickets available for the game making them have the largest assortment of seats and far better prices. Check for yourself, checkout TiqIQ.com
Prediction:
The Clippers should win this game, period. They dropped a very winnable game against Cleveland and will be looking to make up for it over their next few games. Teams are always harder at home and the Clippers have turned into a big attraction whenever they roll into town, but I don’t think it’ll be enough for the Bobcats to take advantage. In the end the Griffin-Paul show will take over Charlotte as well.
Prediction =Los AngelesClippers: 105 –CharlotteBobcats: 90