The Clippers will look to keep their momentum going against an injury-riddled Sixers team missing reigning MVP Joel Embiid.
Game Information
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
When: 12:30 PM PT
How to Watch: Clippervision, Bally Sports SoCal
Tickets: For great deals on Clippers tickets, check out Barry’s Tickets!
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: James Harden – Terance Mann – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Ivica Zubac
Sixers: Cameron Payne – Tyrese Maxey – Buddy Hield – Tobias Harris – Mo Bamba
Injury Report
Clippers: Russell Westbrook out (hand), Norman Powell questionable (leg), PJ Tucker questionable (calf).
Sixers: Joel Embiid out (knee), Kyle Lowry out (rest), De’Anthony Melton out (spine), Robert Covington out (knee), Kai Jones out (hamstring).
The Big Picture
The LA Clippers return home after a brief two-game road trip to Portland. They returned 2-0 with both wins being incredibly important. With the New Orleans Pelicans recent surge, the No. 4 seed is not guaranteed for the Clippers.
The Clippers have made a lineup change as well. Bones Hyland, who was plugged in as the backup point guard in Russell Westbrook’s absence, has now been removed from the lineup.
And speaking of Westbrook, the Clippers backup point guard is expected to return to lineup soon, possibly by early next week. Since he’s been sidelined, the Clippers have missed the intensity and energy he brings to the second unit.
Right now this is a team struggling to define their identity, as Paul George mentioned last week following an embarrassing loss at home to the short-handed Atlanta Hawks.
A few wins against struggling teams, like the Blazers and Sixers, could be what the team needs to string together a little consistency and make a surge during the final month of the regular season.
The Antagonist
The Philadelphia 76ers come to town beat up and reeling. They began the season looking like a possible NBA Finals contender, but an injury to Joel Embiid as well as various other injuries have stymied their momentum.
This team was once in contention for the a top-three record in the Eastern Conference, but they have slipped all the way to the eighth seed and possibly needing to get through the play-in to make the playoffs.
Nevertheless, the Clippers are facing their old nemesis in a Sunday matinee game. And after the Hawks debacle, there is no team that can be considered an easy win. The Clippers are going to need to focus on Tyrese Maxey to cut the head off the snake and get a win.
Note: This game marks the return of Nic Batum to Crypto.com, and I’m sure he will receive a nice video tribute and standing ovation from the crowd.
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