The Clippers are coming off a nice win at home against the Pelicans, and have a solid chance to keep the good vibes rolling against the middling Suns.
Game Information
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
When: 6:00 PM PT
How to Watch: Clippervision, AM 570
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: Darius Garland – Kris Dunn – Derrick Jones Jr. – Rui Hachimura – Brook Lopez
Suns: Devin Booker – Jalen Green – Dillon Brooks – Miles Bridges – Oso Ighodaro
Injuries
Clippers: Isaiah Jackson Questionable (Groin), Brandon Ingram Out (Heel), Yanic Konan Niederhauser Out (Foot), Jordan Miller Out (Calf), Bradley Beal Out (Knee)
Suns: Mark Williams Out (Shoulder), Jordan Goodwin Questionable (Calf)
Prior Game Recap
The Clippers got their second – and best – win of the season on Sunday night, as they beat the somewhat competent Pelicans in a mostly wire-to-wire win. Basically all of the key Clippers players looked good, with the best performances coming from the young guys who swung the game in the late 3rd and early 4th quarters. However, for the medium-term future of the team, Darius Garland finally playing well and under control was the biggest story: Garland was efficient, got guys easy looks, and only had two turnovers. If Garland can bottle that performance, the Clippers will be a lot better and infinitely more fun to watch.
The Antagonist
The Suns have won two games in a row after a disastrous 1-5 start, with their most recent victory being a gritty win over the contending Rockets. The main issue for the Suns has been defense – the additions of Miles Bridges and Jalen Green to the starting unit combined with the loss of Mark Williams to injury has completed sapped the defense-first identity that got them a surprising 45 wins last year. The Suns are competent on offense, as they have a decent number of creators and some shooting, but they are vulnerable on the other end. If the Clippers can contain Devin Booker and force Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks into being lead offensive options, they should have a good shot to win this one.
Notes
Baba Time: Baba Miller got his first true extended crack at the rotation on Sunday and showed out, putting together an extremely impressive 12-point, 5-rebound, 4-assist, 2-steal, and 2-block statline in 20 minutes. Baba’s athleticism and skills were on full display, as his stint at backup center helped key the Clippers run in the second half. Baba was still out of position and fouled a lot (4 total), but the flashes of playmaking, defense, and one-on-one scoring were extremely tantalizing. He will almost certainly be out of the rotation when Brandon Ingram and Yanic are healthy, but he made a case that he shouldn’t be. I hope he continues to get run throughout the season, because he’s truly exciting.
Getting Good Dick: One of the biggest surprises for the Clippers this season has been the play of Gradey Dick, who was seen as a throw-in to the Kawhi Leonard deal. Dick has played quite well off the bench for the Clips, setting career highs in per 36 minute stats across the board while shooting more efficiently from two-point and three-point range as well as playing competent defense. So far he’s been a very nice energy, hustle, and connective player for the Clippers, though his tendency to play with his head down on drives can be frustrating. He’s another guy who will probably lose his spot when the team is fully healthy, but he’s played well above expectations thus far and there’s a real player in there somewhere.
