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LA Clippers: Three things to watch vs. the Boston Celtics

By Cannon Wonderlich

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 11: Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against the Boston Celtics on March 11, 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 - MARCH 11: Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against the Boston Celtics on March 11, 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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Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images
Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images /

3. The Zubac-Kanter matchup

Heading into the season, the biggest issue with the Clippers’ roster was their shallow center rotation. Ivica Zubac is solid, but might be better suited off the bench. Montrezl Harrell might play like he’s one of the bigger guys in the league, but he’s only 6’7.

The Celtics, however, have one of the weakest center rotations in the league. Enes Kanter is good for the occasional 10 points, 10 rebounds night, but those are few and far between anymore. Rookies Vincent Poirier and Tacko Fall have size, but are less talented than other bigs. Daniel Theis and Robert Williams each have their flashes, but, again, those are few and far between.

Ivica Zubac has been better than any of Boston’s bigs so far and is in the midst of a season that has the Lakers wondering why they gave him up for Mike Muscala. Out of his 14 games this season, Zubac had four games where the sum of his points and rebounds equal greater than or equal two 20.

Montrezl Harrell is off to a career-best start too. The Louisville big man is averaging 18.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 30 minutes per game off the bench. Harrell’s high-energy plays and presence in the paint has been huge for LAC this season, and his efforts will be vital for any success yet to come.

Enes Kanter was effective when he was one of the few decent players on the New York Knicks last season, but his play has fallen off with the Celtics. After playing only six games because of injury, Kanter is averaging 7.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, a mere shadow of his 14.0 points and 10.5 boards per game with the Knicks last season. He has the ability to play better than what he’s shown so far, but I don’t see anything changing tonight.

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