The Clippers take on the Spurs on the road to see if they can push their winning streak to three games – and climb back above .500.
Game Information
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
When: 5:00 PM PT
How to Watch: Bally Sports
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: Reggie Jackson – Luke Kennard – Paul George – Marcus Morris – Ivica Zubac
Spurs: Tre Jones – Devin Vassell – Keldon Johnson – Jeremy Sochan – Jakob Poeltl
Injuries
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard Knee (Out), Robert Covington COVID (Out), Moussa Diabate G-League (Out), Jason Preston G-League (Out)
Spurs: Isaiah Roby Flu (Questionable), Zach Collins Ankle (Questionable), Romeo Langford (Questionable), Blake Wesley MCL (Out)
The Big Picture
The Clippers have kind of, sort of, righted the ship after a miserable four game losing streak by beating the Rockets two games in a row. The Rockets might be the worst team in the NBA, but still, wins are wins, especially with one of those being on the road, and the Clippers now sit at a respectable (though not ideal) 4-4 record. The biggest factor behind those two wins has been the play of Paul George, who was absolutely ridiculous in the home win on Monday and the just regular old great in the road victory on Wednesday. He won’t have performances like the one on Monday frequently, but if he can give the Clippers 25 efficient points, playmaking without too many awful turnovers, and excellent defense, they’ll be in position to win a good chunk of games. The Clippers didn’t play that well in either Rockets game, but Ivica Zubac has been a steady presence to start the year, Marcus Morris has been on fire, and Luke Kennard has played well. As long as enough of their guys chip in on any night, and they get good PG performances, the Clippers should be able to ride out the Kawhi rehab.
The Antagonist
The Spurs are one of the surprises of the young NBA season, boasting a 5-3 record with wins over multiple good teams. However, their net rating is negative, and nothing about their start seems particularly sustainable. Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell are a pair of talented and good wings, Jakob Poeltl is a solid starting center, and they have a few competent-ish vets dotting the roster like Doug McDermott, Zach Collins, and Josh Richardson. Still, that does not a great team make. Unfortunately, the Josh Primo news (which is awful, and inexcusable), will overshadow the Spurs for a while if not all season depending on how long it drags out, and hopefully nobody will say anything stupid about the situation tonight.
Notes
Small-Ball Over: After last game, Ty Lue said that he doesn’t like the small-ball units the Clippers have been playing recently. With both Kawhi Leonard and Robert Covington out, the Clippers’ second unit has featured Nicolas Batum at center with Amir Coffey or Terance Mann (whoever you choose) at power forward, and that’s simply too small. Moses Brown is awful, but at least he’s big and can rebound and dunk the ball around the rim, and that might “tie the lineup together” more than a much better smaller player like Amir. Expect Moses to at least get a shot in this one.
Better Decision-Making: It’s funny that so many fans on Twitter are advocating for the immediate start of John Wall and benching of Reggie Jackson. While I’ve been impressed with Wall’s physical movement – he looks very clearly healthy, bouncy, and quick – I don’t think he’s really played all that well. Most significantly, his biggest issue is the same that plagues Reggie, which is decision-making in the halfcourt. Both of them frequently overdribble, launch bad shots, and settle for jumpers rather than going to the rim or moving the ball along. Wall is a better passer than Reggie and more athletic, and has probably outplayed him, but I still like his energy more off the bench than starting, and he hasn’t been better enough that I think he’s wrenched the spot away. Both need to be much, much better for the Clippers to do anything real this season.
