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LA Clippers vs. Knicks: An Unconventional Must-Win

By Jacob Glosup

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Los Angeles Clippers Forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) looks on during a NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers on October 19, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Los Angeles Clippers Forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) looks on during a NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers on October 19, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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This afternoon, LA Clippers will be facing off against the New York Knicks at home in Staples Center. Coming off of a vital victory against the Kings on Friday, the Clippers will look to keep their playoff push on track by handling the Knicks in what looks like an easy win.

The LA Clippers (35-29) come into this important afternoon game sitting in the 8th seed out West, whereas the New York Knicks (13-49) occupy the very bottom of the Eastern Conference. LAC is coming into this game with one day of rest, while the Knicks posses the advantage by having two days since their last game, which came on the 28th against the Cavaliers.

Today’s game will be the first of a back-to-back in Staples Center for the Clips, where they will face off against the Lakers tomorrow night. This adds a veil of uncertainty in how the Clippers will approach today’s game. Go all out versus the Knicks or try and rest a little as they have a possible Western Conference playoff contender to play tomorrow.

LA has an 81.6% chance of winning this game against the Knicks according to ESPN, and the team should be all-in for winning this one. As a team like the Lakers keep dropping games to bottom-seeded Western Conference teams, this is the perfect opportunity for the better LA team to keep reinforcing the fact that they are better. LAC cannot afford to drop a game that, on paper, is an easy win.

This makes the game this afternoon a must-win. This is the first matchup this season against the Knicks, and the Clippers should be wary of a hungry opponent. While the Knicks are certainly aimed at the draft lottery, they came into Staples Center back in January and upset the Lakers. Do not expect the Knicks to go out quietly.

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Both teams were active around the trade deadline, and because of this, LAC will welcome DeAndre Jordan for another homecoming. However, Jordan is listed as questionable for today’s game due to a knee injury. For the Clippers, Luc Mbah a Moute was listed as questionable for today’s game, but it is still uncertain if he will play.

UPDATE: The Clippers’ PR Team has notified us that Luc is now listed as OUT for today’s contest.

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