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Clippers vs. Lakers Game Preview
The Clippers had a few days off to recover from their blowout loss at the hands of the Kings, and now take on the cross-town Lakers.
Game Information
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
When: 7PM PT
How to Watch: Clippervision, Bally Sports SoCal, ESPN
Tickets: For great deals on Clippers tickets, check out Barry’s Tickets!
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: James Harden – Terance Mann – Norman Powell – Kawhi Leonard – Ivica Zubac
Lakers: D’Angelo Russell – Austin Reaves – Rui Hachimura – LeBron James – Anthony Davis
Injury Report
Clippers: Paul George out (knee).
Lakers: LeBron James questionable (ankle), Anthony Davis probable (Achilles), Cam Reddish probable (ankle), Christian Wood out (knee), Jarred Vanderbilt out (foot), Gabe Vincent out (knee).
The Big Picture
The Clippers continue their home stand looking to get back on track after a disappointing showing against the Kings on Sunday.
They will have had two days of rest and that should help them as they’re going be short-handed once again. Paul George has been ruled out due to the knee issue.
The Clippers weren’t really bad offensively, as the entire starting lineup was in double figures. It’s been the defense that’s been concerning. They haven’t been able to put together a complete defensive game since the win against the Boston Celtics back during the beginning of the Grammy road trip.
George being out also shortens the bench. With Powell in the starting lineup, that takes away the Clippers main offensive punch in the second unit. The bench as a whole didn’t play so well against the Kings. They’ll need to be better on Wednesday.
The Antagonist
The LA Lakers come into the game still looking like one of the most inconsistent teams in the league. They’ve been stuck in the 9-10 range in the West and have been unable to move up.
Earlier this month they grabbed two impressive road wins against the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. Then they have games like Sunday against the Phoenix Suns where they don’t show up in the first quarter and dig themselves an early hole they can’t get out of.
It’s never clear what team is going to show up on a game to game basis. But judging by the previous meetings this season, the Clippers should expect the Lakers to bring their A-game.
One thing to monitor is the availability of LeBron James. James is currently listed as questionable and his final status likely won’t be determined until right before game time.
James didn’t play in the last meeting between these two teams and coincidentally that’s the only one of the previous three the Clippers have won.
This game also represents the end of an era. It will be the final time these two teams will face off against each other in the regular season as hallway neighbors as the Clippers will move to Intuit Dome next season.
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