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Clippers Schedule Breakdown: November

By Paul Tooke

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 26: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers speaks to the media after Game Six of Round One against the Golden State Warriors during the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2019 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 26: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers speaks to the media after Game Six of Round One against the Golden State Warriors during the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2019 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 3: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers and Austin Rivers #25 of the Houston Rockets after a game on April 3, 2019 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 3: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers and Austin Rivers #25 of the Houston Rockets after a game on April 3, 2019 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Monday, November 11th – vs. Toronto

The Clippers now head into their fourth home game in a row with a match against the reigning 2019 NBA Champions, the Toronto Raptors.

LA’s obvious advantage in this game is that they now have the 2019 NBA Finals MVP on their team. Leonard also has a scouting advantage because he will be facing his former teammates.

Patrick Beverley will be covering Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet at the top of the key while Montrezl Harrell will be on Marc Gasol down low. Things start to get tricky, however, when Pascal Siakam is brought into the mix. Siakam is incredibly mobile and crafty for a big man, so Kawhi Leonard’s defense may be required against him. We know that players move around and defensive matches don’t always stick, but this all shows that the Clippers can indeed keep the Raptors scoring contained.

Offensively, the Clippers have the Raptors outgunned, even without Paul George. Because of the offensive advantage and the Clippers proper defensive assignments, I have the Clippers beating the Raptors on this night.

Wednesday, November 13th – @ Houston

When the Clippers met the Rockets last year, they had to face their former leader, Chris Paul. This time, Paul is gone because of Houston’s blockbuster trade for the former MVP Russell Westbrook.

The Rockets now have the 2017 and 2018 MVP’s together in the same city, and this was a move supported by Harden and Westbrook. It’s easy to say that having two ball-hogs on the same team won’t work and the Rockets won’t be successful, but they still have a versatile roster. Clint Capela is an underrated center and will be a tough match for Montrezl Harrell. And when it comes to Westbrook and Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Patrick Beverley will have their hands full.

Though they added possibly the biggest ball hog in the league to their team, this move was still an improvement for the Rockets. Because of the Rockets’ talented roster and Paul George’s absence, I believe that the Clippers will drop this away game before they head to New Orleans for their second game in this back-to-back series.

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