The LA Clippers finish up the second end of a back to back at home against the Brooklyn Nets.
Game Information
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
When: 7:30 p.m. PST
How to Watch: Bally Sports SoCal; NBA TV
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: Eric Bledsoe – Luke Kennard – Terance Mann – Nicolas Batum – Ivica Zubac
Nets: Patty Mills – James Harden – DeAndre Bembry – Bruce Brown – Nic Claxton
Injury Report
Clippers: Paul George out (right elbow), Isaiah Hartenstein out (left ankle), Reggie Jackson out (health and safety protocols), Marcus Morris out (reconditioning), Jay Scrubb out (health and safety protocols), Kawhi Leonard out (right knee), Jason Preston out (foot).
Nets: OUT – Kevin Durant (health and safety protocols), LaMarcus Aldridge (health and safety protocols), Kyrie Irving (health and safety protocols), Kessler Edwards (health and safety protocols), David Duke Jr. (health and safety protocols), Day’Ron Sharpe (health and safety protocols), Cam Thomas (health and safety protocols), Joe Harris (left ankle).
The Big Picture
The Clippers actually put up a strong fight against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night despite missing several key players. They had a lead going into the fourth quarter but were unable to cross the finish line.
The good news for them though is that Marcus Morris Sr. has cleared health and safety protocols and should be back in the lineup soon. His return is much needed, as one of the Clippers problems on Sunday was being able to generate consistent offense throughout the entire game rather than just for stretches.
As of now, the bench unit is comprised almost entirely of the young guns (Brandon Boston Jr., Keon Johnson, Amir Coffey) as well as Serge Ibaka. That lineup gave a mixed bag against the Nuggets. In the first half, it was that group that allowed the Nuggets to go on a run while the starters had kept the game even.
In the second half though, it was that group that helped get the Clippers back in the game, especially with Ibaka competing hard against Nikola Jokic. Until Morris and Reggie Jackson are cleared to play, those guys are going to be seeing plenty of minutes.
The main question is where consistent offense is going to come from. That was an issue earlier in the season even before this recent stretch of being shorthanded. The team often had stretches where they would struggle to score.
They’re going to need a better performance from Luke Kennard than what he showed against Denver. He was in foul trouble most of the night and was largely ineffective. He’s the Clippers best shooter and one of their capable ball-handlers/playmakers. If he had just a decent game against Denver, the Clippers might have won.
The Antagonist
The Brooklyn Nets come into the game as one of the teams in the league with the most number of players in health and safety protocols. Out of the eight players they had on the injured list ahead of their Christmas Day win over the Los Angeles Lakers, only one, Joe Harris, was out due to injury.
They had two other players, Bruce Brown and James Johnson, who just barely cleared health and safety protocols ahead of the Lakers game. Even so, this is still a very formidable team.
They currently hold the best record in the Eastern Conference and are led by superstar James Harden. The other members of the Big 3, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, are both in protocols, with Irving having been kept away from the team due to his non-compliance with New York protocols due to his unvaccinated status. The Nets had softened on their stance on Irving due to having so many players in protocols and were on the verge of allowing him to play road games as a part time player. To nobody’s surprise, he was placed into protocols almost immediately upon rejoining the team.
Despite their losses, they are capable of putting up a ton of points and pulling off wins. They put up 122 in regulation against the Lakers with the wily veteran Patty Mills bombing away from three-point range. Their offense is smooth and crisp and they swing the ball around and get good shots.
They’ve also been among the top half of NBA teams on the defensive end. They’re a high octane team capable of getting defensive stops when they need to. They’re going to be a tough, tough challenge for the Clippers.
Notes
- Eric Bledose has been phenomenal for the team since shaking off the inconsistency that plagued him early in the season. He went from a starter to stabling the second unit, to back in the starting lineup with Jackson in protocols. He’s done whatever is asked of him. He’s created his own offense. He’s moved the ball and found open teammates. He had 10 assists against the Nuggets. He’s provided the type of veteran leadership the Clippers have needed at this time. He’s capable of having big games and capable of getting some wins for this team.
