The Clippers will be back home for a couple games to try to get back on track, and first up will play a Milwaukee Bucks team that already has its eyes on the summer.
Game Information
Where: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
When: 7:30 PM PT
How to Watch: FanDuel Sports SoCal, AM 570
Projected Starting Lineups
Bucks: Ryan Rollins – AJ Green – Taurean Prince – Ousmane Dieng – Myles Turner
Clippers: Darius Garland – Derrick Jones Jr. – Kawhi Leonard – John Collins – Brook Lopez
Injuries
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo Doubtful (Knee), Kevin Porter Jr. Questionable (Knee), Bobby Portis Questionable (Ribs), Gary Harris Questionable (Groin), Kyle Kuzma Questionable (Achilles)
Clippers: Bennedict Mathurin Questionable (Toe), Yanic Konan Niederhauser Out (Foot), Bradley Beal Out (Hip)
The Big Picture
The Clippers got a much, much needed win on Saturday night, breaking a four-game losing streak in a hard-fought overtime victory over the Mavericks. However, while wins are the most important stat for the Clippers right now, it’s hard not to be concerned with the Clippers’ defense, which has slumped in a massive way in recent weeks and was pummeled by the Mavs. The Clippers’ offense remains effective, especially when Darius Garland and Kawhi Leonard are both on the floor, but slippage on defense from John Collins and Brook Lopez is killing the team. The Clippers have 11 games to try to get their defense back into shape, or their postseason run (they are one win away from clinching a play-in spot) will be very short-lived.
The Antagonist
The Bucks have not been completely eliminated from the postseason race, but they have more or less thrown in the towel. Reports came out last week that the Bucks want to shut Giannis down for the rest of the season, and that Giannis is resisting because he wants to play if he feels up to it. My guess would be the Bucks get their way, and Giannis doesn’t play again this year. It is very possible he has already played his last game in a Bucks uniform. The Bucks have had small stretches of competence this year without Giannis, but they’ve been mostly bad all season regardless of who plays. Ryan Rollins has been the brightest spot on the team, as the 23-year-old guard has cemented himself as a starting level player on an extremely cheap contract. Outside of that, Ousmane Dieng has had some nice moments and Kevin Porter Jr. has been effective when healthy, but it’s pretty slim pickings. This is a game the Clippers need to win.
Notes
Mathurin’s Status: Benn Mathurin missed the Clippers’ last three games with a toe injury, and it’s unclear if he’ll play tonight. The Clippers only really missed his scoring in the game when Kawhi and Darius also didn’t play – their issues recently have been on defense. Still, while he’s immensely frustrating, Mathurin will help this team down this final stretch of the season if he’s healthy. Hopefully he returns to the lineup soon to help close out the year. If nothing else, the Clippers getting more of a sample on his play in their uniform will inform their decision-making on what kind of a contract to offer him (or not offer him) this summer.
