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Clippers vs. Cavaliers Game Preview: Playoffs Approaching
The Clippers will try to keep their momentum going into the last week of the regular season in a matinee game against the visiting Cavaliers.
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 – PJ Tucker – Ivica Zubac
Cavaliers: Darius Garland – Donovan Mitchell – Max Strus – Evan Mobley – Jarrett Allen
Injury Report
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard out (knee), Joshua Primo out (ankle).
Cavaliers: Ty Jerome out (ankle), Dean Wade out (knee), Isaac Okoro out (toe).
The Big Picture
It was about two weeks ago when the Clippers hit a low point in the season as they suffered back to back home losses against the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers and the average Indiana Pacers. Tyronn Lue was frustrated and the team was talking about not having an identity.
Flash forward to this weekend and the team has returned home after a successful 3-1 road trip and a spirited comeback win at home against the Denver Nuggets. Sure, the Nuggets didn’t have Jamal Murray, but the Clippers didn’t have Kawhi Leonard. It evened out.
The Clippers seem to be clicking as the final week of the regular season approaches. James Harden, who had been in a semi-slump recently, put up a triple-double against the Nuggets. Russell Westbrook has brought the same spark off the bench he had before his injury.
The main cause of concern though in Clipperland is the status of Leonard. After playing the first three games of the road trip, Leonard was ruled out against the Sacramento Kings with knee soreness and was sent back to LA for further treatment.
Obviously, anytime Leonard is out of the lineup, it causes a mild panic among Clippers fans. But there doesn’t seem to be any heightened sense of alarm amongst the team. Ultimately though, the Clippers are going to need him in the lineup when the playoffs begin in two weeks.
The Antagonist
The Cleveland Cavaliers come to town having dropped the first end of a back to back against the Los Angeles Lakers. Like the Clippers, the Cavaliers are also fighting for playoff positioning.
The Boston Celtics have locked up the No. 1 seed in the East, but the Cavaliers are in a tight race with the Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic and New York Knicks for the second seed. A mere two games is all that separates the Bucks who are currently at No. 2, and the Knicks who are at No. 5.
The Cavs might have the best chance at surpassing the Bucks, but they’re going to need a few more wins this week. They have two explosive guards in Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell who can give the Clippers problems.
They have a strong defensive frontline with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. They’re going to look to shrug off the Lakers loss and get a win. Matinee games have never been the Clippers friend, and they’ve got to be ready from the get-go.
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Clippers vs. Cavaliers Game Preview: Playoffs Approaching
David Yapkowitz