Tonight, the Clippers will take on the Spurs for the second time this month and for the fourth, and final, time this season. LA has a chance to sweep the season series, win their fourth straight game, and take over the fourth seed in the Western Conference. Check out our preview below:
Game Information
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
When: 7:30 PM PT
How to Watch: ClipperVision, Bally Sports SoCal
How to Listen: AM 570 KLAC
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: Terance Mann – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Nicolas Batum – Ivica Zubac
Spurs: Tre Jones – Keldon Johnson – Keita Bates-Diop – Jeremy Sochan – Jakob Poeltl
Injuries
Clippers:
QUESTIONABLE – Marcus Morris, Sr. (ribs); Luke Kennard (calf)
OUT – John Wall (abdominal); Brandon Boston Jr (G-League); Moses Brown (G-League); Jason Preston Out (G-League)
Spurs: OUT – Romeo Langford (hip)
The Big Picture
For what feels like for the first time despite how often the revere has been true, the Clippers are playing a team the night after the Lakers did. The Spurs lost last night in LA to the Lakers, so the Clippers will have the rest advantage tonight. They are also familiar with this Spurs team, having played them three times already, including just last week.
The Clippers are also playing much better since last Friday: They are currently on a three-game win streak, with two road wins by double-digits. They are motivated, the rotations seems more coherent, and they’ll be back home for the first time since they played the Sixers on January 18th.
Moreover, although Morris and Kennard are questionable, the Clippers are also getting healthier (knock on wood), as Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are not only available but are looking more athletic and fit as the games go on.
In sum, the Clippers have the talent, rest, health, and momentum advantages. If they bring the focus and energy that we have seen over the last few games, they should be ready to claim their fourth straight win.
The Antagonist
On the other hand, the Clippers are not exactly world-beaters. They have only beaten three playoff teams this month, and barely pulled away from the Spurs in the fourth quarter last week. The Clippers are not yet above the suspicion that they could drop a game to a bad team.
The Clippers also struggled a little bit at times on Tuesday after Morris went out. Sure, Morris only had 5 points on 2/4 shooting in 10 minutes. But the Clippers’ spacing can get a little tight when Batum or Covington are in at the “power forward” position along side Leonard and George. Morris is a more respected shooter than those two, so driving lanes are more open when he is on the floor.
Therefore, down a scorer, if one of Leonard, George, or Powell have an off shooting night, the Clippers could easily lose this game. After all, the Clippers only beat the Spurs by five points despite Norman Powell having 26 points on 9/11 shooting.
Notes
Reggie Jackson’s Joy: Over the last three games, Reggie is averaging 14 points and 2.7 assists (2.3 turnovers) in 21.1 minutes on 48.4/ 46.7/100 shooting splits. Even better, as Paul George put it, he appears to have some of his joy back. Reggie’s time might go away again since Luke Kennard is back in the rotation, but the Clippers are already much better off going forward because of his recent run. First, it gives a contrast to what we saw from John Wall before his injury. And, second, the ~vibes~ are much better when Reggie is in a positive mood.
Rooting Interest(s) for Jan. 26-27: Tonight, there are not any, really! The Suns and the Mavericks play each other tonight. If they both could lose, that would be great. But either one getting a loss helps the Clippers in the long run. On Friday, the Clippers would benefit from: Cavs over Thunder; Raptors over Warriors; and, Grizzlies over Timberwolves.
That about does it for this preview of the Clippers’ upcoming game against the Spurs. As always, check out The Lob The Jam The Podcast and Clips ‘N Dip for analysis throughout the week, and follow us on Twitter to watch the game with us!
