The LA Clippers are coming off a Saturday afternoon loss to the Memphis Grizzlies 113-103. Now, in the second of their early back to back games, we give you things to look for during the game!
The LA Clippers starters have played well and with Blake Griffin averaging a career high in points, (23.8 ppg) the team is looking to bounce back against the Miami Heat. The Heat are coming off a loss against the Denver Nuggets, after missing a chance to win at the buzzer.
The Clippers and the Heat are both coming off losses to good teams and will need to work on the problems that held them back in their previous games. The Heat lost four of five, but besides the blowout to San Antonio, each game has remained close. The Clippers, however, have lost three of five and while they have the Warriors blowout to their name, they are still working out the kinks.
Guard play
The Clippers, who are still without Milos Teodosic, have relied on Austin Rivers and Sindarius Thornwell to help pick up the slack. Both did not play well yesterday, going a combined 2 of 10 from the field. Patrick Beverley did play well yesterday, chipping in 23 points.
The Clippers will have their hands full when playing the Heat. Dion Waiters, who had a coming out party last year in his first year with the Heat, has found his touch. Their other guard, Goran Dragic, is averaging 20.3 points a game.
EDIT: According to the Miami Heat’s official Twitter, Waiters will not be with the team today.
Beverley, who is known for his defense, has been able to score and help ease the load for Griffin, and the Clippers will need that and their other guards to step up if they expect to win those match ups.
Move the Ball
Five of the Grizzlies reserves scored in double figures and outscored the Clippers reserves 55-22. The Clippers, however, have had problems when moving the ball and have become motionless.
The team has relied on a lot of dribbling instead of swinging the ball finding the open man. The Grizzlies also hit 13 threes to the Clippers season low four. Yes, four 3-pointers all game. The Clippers get better looks for their players when they move the ball and against the Heat, expect that to be a point of emphasis.
Doc Rivers has stressed ball movement and after the game mentioned not relying too much on one person like they did on Griffin against the Grizzlies. The ball found the open in rhythm shooter for the Grizzlies, where the Clippers relied too much on Griffin. While he was great, the team needs to create good habits.
DJ vs Whiteside
DeAndre Jordan, one of the premier centers in the league, will take on a massive challenge in Hassan Whiteside. The center position is evolving to a smaller faster pace offense, but these two centers are quick, athletic and will knock your shot into the stands. Both players score just about all their points in the paint and it will be a battle down low.
Whiteside is having a great start to the season with 17.3 ppg and 13 rpg, with Jordan adding 10 points and 14.6 rpg. Whiteside, who has more of a jump shot than Jordan, will look to bring Jordan out of the paint to help open the floor. Jordan and Whiteside are long and play great defense for their respected teams and will be called upon to help clean the boards and help on the offensive end when called upon.