The Clippers have won four games in a row and now have what should be an easier contest at home against the miserable Kings.
Game Information
Where: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
When: 8:00 PM PT
How to Watch: FanDuel Sports SoCal, AM 570
Projected Starting Lineups
Kings: Russell Westbrook – Keon Ellis – DeMar DeRozan – Maxime Reynaud – Precious Achiuwa
Clippers: James Harden – Kris Dunn – Kawhi Leonard – John Collins – Brook Lopez
Injuries
Kings: Domantas Sabonis Out (Knee), Zach LaVine Out (Ankle), Keegan Murray Questionable (Calf)
Clippers: John Collins Questionable (Illness), Bogdan Bogdanovic Out (Hip), Ivica Zubac Out (Ankle), Bradley Beal Out (Hip), Chris Paul Out (Not with team)
The Big Picture
The Clippers have won four games in a row, and done so in mostly encouraging fashion. Are they relying a little too heavily on an absolutely ridiculous Kawhi shooting streak? Sure. But Kawhi’s play has improved in more sustainable ways outside of just making every shot he takes, notably on the glass and on defense. Brook Lopez’s competence on both ends after looking dreadful the first six weeks of the season also seems reasonably sustainable. Derrick Jones returned on Sunday and didn’t contribute a ton but looked healthy. This is a team that is finally looking competent on defense, and when you combine that with Kawhi and Harden on offense, they might actually be turning the page. I still need to see a bit more before getting optimistic, yet it’s hard not to be encouraged. Now let’s see them in a game they really should win.
The Antagonist
The Kings have the fourth-worst record in the NBA, ahead of only the youthful Pelicans, Wizards, and Pacers. Their Net Rating is even worse, sitting at 29th with the 27th defense and 29th offense. Much like the Clippers for the first couple of months, they aren’t good at almost anything. Similarly to the Clippers, the Kings also thought they’d be good this year, and are a veteran-laden team that doesn’t have a ton of assets. The Kings do have some interesting young players: Keegan Murray, Keon Ellis, Nique Clifford, and Maxime Reynaud. That softens the miserable season a bit. At some point the Kings will probably trade off veterans like DeRozan, Malik Monk, and Dennis Schroder to recoup some assets, and maybe at that point they’ll get a tad more fun. Until then, yuck.
Notes
Must Win: As always, it’s a bit hyperbolic to say that a game in December is a must win. However, this is as close as it gets considering the time of year. The Kings are dreadful, one of the few teams that has been more miserable than the Clippers all year. They are missing a couple key players. The Clippers are at home, and have had a bit of rest. The Kings are back of the Clippers in the standings, and every Kings’ loss puts them closer to a full tank and out of the Clippers’ rearview. This is a game the Clippers really need to win if they are serious about getting to the postseason. A loss would be inexcusable.