Clipperholics
Fansided

LA Clippers vs Portland Trail Blazers Preview

By Jacob Glosup

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 17: Al-Farouq Aminu #8 and Evan Turner #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers box out Patrick Beverley #21 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of a game at Staples Center on December 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 17: Al-Farouq Aminu #8 and Evan Turner #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers box out Patrick Beverley #21 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of a game at Staples Center on December 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The blazing-hot LA Clippers will face-off tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers at home in Staples Center. The Clippers, winners of five straight look to keep their momentum in full swing against a tough Portland team who will come into tonight’s matchup with the rest advantage over LA.

First, let’s address what deserved to be talked about: Lou Williams is now the all-time leader in scoring off of the bench. Congrats to Lou on such an amazing accomplishment.

Now on to the matchup preview. The Clippers (39-29) sit firmly in the 6th seed after last night’s demolition of the Boston Celtics. The Trail Blazers (40-26) sit two games ahead of LAC in the 5th seed. Both teams have been surging upwards in their last ten games. LA (8-2) and Portland (7-3).

The Trail Blazers have a losing record when playing on the road, 15-17. This suggests that the Clippers can utilize their home-court advantage, especially after such an emotionally invigorating game last night in Staples Center.

Speaking of the game last night, this puts the Clippers at a rest disadvantage when matching up against the Blazers. Portland’s last game was this past Saturday, in which they beat the Phoenix Suns 127-120.

Matchups to watch are at the center position and guard positions. It should be an exciting matchup between the young Ivica Zubac of LAC and Jusuf Nurkic of POR. Additionally, the matchups between LA’s Patrick Beverley, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Lou Williams, versus Portland’s dynamic duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

Luc Mbah a Moute is listed as out for the Clippers. Rodney Hood and Evan Turner are ruled as out for the Blazers. The healthy Clippers should look to utilize their depth to overcome the rest advantage that Portland possesses.

ESPN’s Basketball Power Index has the game nearly split when predicting who will win. The Clippers are projected to have a 49.1% chance of beating the Blazers.

The season series between LAC-POR is tied at 1-1 currently, so hopefully, the Clippers can get the win tonight. This would give LA the tie-breaker going into the playoffs and could bode well for them.

Per the Locked On Clippers podcast, hosts William Updyke and Charles Mockler note that this is the first time the Trail Blazers will be seeing the new-look Clippers lineup. This is the lineup that has been successful and was formed from the Tobias Harris trade.

Next. Clippers Plan to Sign Bibbs to 10-Day Contract. dark

Follow @ClipperholicsFS on Twitter for updates throughout tonight’s game!

Home/Clippers News