After claiming the top seed in the Western Conference on Friday, the LA Clippers look to hold onto it as they travel to Portland to face the Trailblazers.
After an overtime victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, the LA Clippers became the top seed in the Western Conference. Tonight, they will have to travel to Portland and defeat Trailblazers if they wish to hang onto it.
The two teams faced each other earlier this season in Portland in a game which the Trailblazers won. During the last outing, Tobias Harris played while ill and both Avery Bradley and Luc Mbah a Moute missed the game. Bradley will be back tonight, which will not only help on the defensive end, but will also allow the bench to have more talent.
Defense will be the key here as Portland boasts one of the best back courts in the NBA with both Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum capable of going off at any time. In the last outing, the two scored 25 and 23 respectively, so even limiting one of them could swing the tide for the Clippers.
Another interesting match up to watch will be Marcin Gortat versus Jusuf Nurkic. Last time, Gortat did not play due to a coach’s decision and Nurkic went for 16 points.
Getting Nurkic into early foul trouble could greatly benefit the Clippers as Portland’s backup big men aren’t much of a threat. This will allow Montrezl Harrell to come in and continue his dominance of late.
As always he, along with the rest of LA’s bench, will be the key factor. Portland allowed Harrell to score 19 and Lou Williams to pour in 20 last time out, but no one else off the bench scored more than two points. Mike Scott, who has been an amazing pick up, can and should score more.
Overall, expect this to be a close game. Both teams are coming off a days rest and need in-conference wins if they want to make the playoffs.
You can tune in at 6:00pm PST through NBA League Pass, Fox Sports West or Fubo TV. As always, we will have in-game coverage on Twitter and please feel free to interact with us!
