Games this week
Logan Rapp: Anyway, let’s move on to the game that we should all be circling in red pen as a big test: Playing the Bucks next at home. What do the Clippers need to do to win this one?
Nathan Jacobo: If Kawhi plays: limit Milwaukee’s three-point attempts and crash the boards.
Try to limit turnovers and fastbreak opportunities and of course play with more heart, passion, and energy.
If Kawhi sits: Just feed Lou and Trezz all night
Garrett Chorpenning: I’m probably in the minority here, but I haven’t considered the Bucks to be much of a threat to the Clippers since Kawhi torched them in the postseason. He’s shown that he can contain Giannis Antetokounmpo, and since the Bucks lost Malcolm Brogdon this summer, that’s one less guy they can rely on for help offensively
But yeah, as Nate said, that’s all down the drain if Kawhi doesn’t play.
Randi Geffner: Back-to-back, do we think Kawhi plays versus the Bucks, the Blazers, or both?
Answering my own question, I think if he sits one it will be the Bucks because it’s more important to beat the Western Conference team.
Nathan Jacobo: If the team were to rest him off back-to-backs, it makes more sense resting him that game instead of the following game against Portland (since they have more head-to-head games coming up).
I could see Kawhi playing both though since they are both at home and the team doesn’t play again until the following Monday.
Garrett Chorpenning: Agreed. I’d rather watch him versus the Bucks, but if he’s going to sit one out, that would be the smarter call.
Logan Rapp: What Nate said. But also, it’s early in the season. I wouldn’t be surprised if Doc takes a scheduled loss. When Paul George comes back, I expect these back-to-backs to be split between them. And the Clippers got relatively screwed on back to backs (because, well, third position at Staples Center. Hurry up and build the arena, Steve).
Nathan Jacobo: I’d also want to see Kawhi break in the new classic Buffalo Braves jersey on Thursday.
Matt Chong: Getting the ball out of Giannis’ hands will be important. It’s also a strategy that the league as a whole tends to employ, given the number of open threes that they’re able to generate. Closing out on shooters will be really important with the guys they have. Aside from Bledsoe, all of the Bucks’ guards/wings can shoot and will be there waiting for the Giannis drive-and-kick. It’ll also be the biggest test yet for Zubac–having to defend the two Lopez brothers and having Giannis charging down the lane won’t be easy.
Kenneth Hawkes: Khris Middleton is going to get locked up, prediction: he only drops under 20.
Logan Rapp: I agree with Matt — perimeter defense is going to be tested here against the Bucks, with or without Kawhi. I’d prefer with obviously, but my guess is it’s going to be a near-game time decision.