The Clippers, coming off two brutal losses, take on the floundering Wizards on the road in DC.
Game Information
Where: Capital One Center, Washington, DC
When: 3:00 PM PT
How to Watch: Bally Sports SoCal
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: John Wall – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Marcus Morris – Ivica Zubac
Wizards: Monte Morris – Corey Kispert – Deni Avdija – Kyle Kuzma – Kristaps Porzingis
Injuries
Clippers: Norm Powell Out (Groin), Reggie Jackson Out (Rest), Terance Mann Questionable (Concussion), Moussa Diabate Out (G-League)
Wizards: Bradley Beal Out (Hamstring), Delon Wright Out (Hamstring), Rui Hachimura Out (Ankle)
The Big Picture
The scuffling 14-13 Clippers are currently in 10th place in the Western Conference, but are only two games back of 4th. The Clippers’ defense has remained fairly strong on the season, though it’s slipped of late, and that is a cause for concern. When the Clippers’ stars have played, their offense has been fine, a huge step up from the “putrid” it is without them. Still, the Clippers have looked discombobulated on both ends for much of the season, and the lack of cohesion due to injuries and load management is apparent.
The Antagonist
The Wizards have lost five games in a row and eight of their last 10, falling to 11th in the East. The root cause has been a failing defense, which has been declining since Delon Wright went out with an injury. The Wizards have talent, but their Big 3 of Beal, Porzingis, and Kuzma is not extremely impressive at this point in their careers, and none of their young guys is a true top talent. They’ll probably hang around the play-in, but it’s tough to see where this team is going.
Notes
John Wall Returns to DC: Even though he was traded by the Wizards two years ago, John Wall has not played in DC since then. With Reggie Jackson out, Wall will start and play the bulk of the point guard and minutes, and is going to get a thunderous ovation. Will he dazzle the crowd with amazing play, or get caught up in the moment and blunder? Or a mix of the two? no matter, it will be a great scene in DC.
