The Clippers travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers on the second day of a back to back. Keep reading for a full preview of the Clippers’ game against the Cavaliers.
Game Information
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
When: 4:00 PM PT
How to Watch: Bally Sports SoCal
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: Reggie Jackson – Amir Coffey – Nicolas Batum – Marcus Morris – Ivica Zubac
Cavaliers: Darius Garland – Isaac Okoro – Dean Wade – Kevin Love – Evan Mobley
Injuries
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard Out (Knee), Paul George Out (Elbow), Robert Covington Doubtful (Personal), Jay Scrubb Out (Foot), Jason Preston Out (Foot)
Cavaliers: Jarrett Allen Out (Finger), Caris LeVert Questionable (Foot), Lauri Markkanen Questionable (Ankle), Rajon Rondo Doubtful (Ankle), Collin Sexton Out (Knee), Dean Wade Questionable (Knee)
The Big Picture
The Clippers have played 70 games (71 after tonight), more than any other team in the NBA (the average is 67-68). They are tired, still missing their superstars, and don’t have much depth. Really, every game they’re able to scratch out as a win at this point in the season is a big one. There’s just about no way they’re catching the Timberwolves for the 7th spot, so the primary concern are the Pelicans and Lakers below. Still, if the Clippers can just get to 40 wins (four more victories), the Lakers would need to go 11-4 and the Pelicans 12-2 to catch them. That’s not happening, and the Clippers probably have more leeway than even that, so Ty Lue has turned his attention (finally) towards resting his key players. Don’t be surprised if some Clips don’t play or have limited minutes in this one, and the Clippers effectively punt this second game of a back to back on the road.
The Antagonist
The Cavaliers have slipped from their perch near the top of the Eastern Conference towards the middle of the pack, and sit just a single game ahead of the Raptors for the 6th seed and a guaranteed playoff berth. The Cavs’ fall has much less to do with a drop in play and more to do with relentless injuries that have sapped their ability. Star center Jarett Allen is out indefinitely with a broken finger, and his loss has cost them a massive amount on both ends of the court. Add in the loss of Collin Sexton early in the season, nagging injuries to Caris LeVert and Lauri Markkanen, and various absences for other players, and you have a team that’s barely keeping it’s head above water. Still, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are a formidable pairing, Kevin Love has been fantastic off the bench, and their unheralded bench players play hard and possess athleticism. They remain a great story and a tough out each night.
Notes
Watch Out for the Cavs: While the Cavs may have slipped somewhat, this season has already massively over exceeded expectations, so any kind of playoff run is gravy. More importantly, they’re well set up for the future around the pillars of Garland, Allen, and Mobley. Garland leapt from promising young guard to All-Star in his third season at age 22, and there’s still plenty of room for him to grow as a scorer, defender, and playmaker. Mobley, the Rookie of the Year favorite and a longshot for an All-Defense team, is just 20, and has already flashed offensive skills beyond his years in addition to a defensive toolkit that could make him a generational player at that end of the court. One more piece, probably a wing scorer, and the Cavs could be looking very, very scary for the next half-decade.
That about does it for this preview of the Clippers’ game against the Cavaliers. Leave your comments below!
