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Clippers Looking to Start Road Trip Off Right Versus Detroit

By Joseph Raya-Ward

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 9: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball against Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers on February 9, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 9: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball against Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers on February 9, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After losing their first match-up with the Detroit Pistons, the LA Clippers look to start road trip right with a win in the Motor City.

Hoping to pull themselves out of the slump they have been mired in for the majority of the month of January, the LA Clippers start their 10 day, 6 game road trip with a match-up against the Detroit Pistons.

The Clippers have lost 8 of their last 12 games, including dropping the last two at home against the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Lakers. The upcoming stretch will not be easy, as each of the next 6 games come against teams either currently in the playoffs or still in playoff contention. The Clippers will have to learn from their last game against the Pistons if they want to start the road trip with a victory.

In Blake Griffin‘s return to Staples on January 12th, the Pistons beat the Clippers 109-104. Griffin was spectacular, posting 44 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, while getting to the line 14 times. Slowing Blake down today may prove tough, as he is coming off of a torrid January where he averaged 29.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. In the first meeting, the Pistons, mainly Griffin, came out fast, leading by 13 after the first quarter.

The Clippers have had trouble recovering from first quarter deficits, having lost the first period in six of their last eight defeats. Making sure Griffin doesn’t repeat his monster performance will have to be a priority for the Clippers this afternoon.

The Clippers will also have to rectify their rebounding deficiencies. The team has been out rebounded in six of their last eight losses, including the loss to Detroit in January. Containing Andre Drummond will have to be another focus if the team wants to win the rebounding battle. In the January match-up, Drummond put up 20 points while grabbing 21 of the Pistons’ 53 rebounds, including 9 of the team’s 14 offensive rebounds.

Drummond currently leads the NBA in total rebounding, grabbing nearly 15 per game, and offensive rebounding, averaging over 5 per game. Limiting the Pistons’ opportunities for second chance points will have to be another priority for the Clippers to keep this game competitive.

The team will continue to be without Danilo Gallinari, who has been out since the second half of the team’s loss to Golden State on January 18th. The team has won 4 of the 7 games Gallinari has missed, but his absence was felt on both sides of the floor in the last two defeats. In his absence, Tobias Harris has assumed a larger role in the offense.

Over the last 7 games, Harris has averaged 22.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and an impressive 5.7 assists per game, a number that is more than double his season average. The Clippers will need Harris to continue his strong play if they want to use this road trip to solidify their playoff hopes.

dark. Next. How Will Danilo Gallinari's Return Affect the Team?

This game is extremely important for the Clippers as they have fallen to 8th seed in the Western Conference during this skid. The team is clinging to a one game lead over the Lakers, and, with a tough road trip looming, setting the tone today is paramount to the team’s success moving forward. A victory today might be just what the Clippers need to rediscover the identity that propelled them to the top spot in the West earlier this year.

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