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Clippers vs Pacers Game Preview
The Clippers’ ship is steadily sinking, and every win now matters down the stretch of the season. Tonight’ game features the Indiana Pacers, with both teams on the second day of a back-to-back.
Game Information
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
When: 7:30 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 – Kawhi Leonard – Ivica Zubac
Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton – Andrew Nembhard – Aaron Nesmith – Pascal Siakam – Myles Turner
Injury Report
Clippers: PJ Tucker questionable (calf).
Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin out (shoulder).
The Big Picture
The Clippers are in danger of losing the fourth seed, and home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, to the surging New Orleans Pelicans.
After their second consecutive home loss against a short-handed team, they were again searching for answers.
It’s been troubling that the Clippers continue to be plagued by the same issues: poor transition defense, lack of rebounding, turnovers, wide open three point shot misses.
But maybe, this is just who they are. They’re an older, slower team. The bench doesn’t really have any standout rebounders, which is why PJ Tucker has suddenly become much more valuable again.
They really are built for the playoffs when the game slows down. So when Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue and the players continue to say their confidence hasn’t wavered, there’s some truth to that. They just need to make sure they hold on to that No. 4 seed.
Reinforcements could be on the way though, as recent reports suggest Russell Westbrook could be making his return to the lineup for this game. The Clippers have missed his energy off the bench in a big way.
The Antagonist
The Indiana Pacers come to town on the second night of a back to back having played against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
They’re also fighting for playoff positioning in the East. They’re currently in the sixth seed in the East and they’re trying to avoid slipping to the play-in.
This team has been slightly disappointing even after acquiring Pascal Siakam at the trade deadline. But they are much better than the team the Clippers easily beat back in December.
Tyrese Haliburton is the head of the snake, but he’s struggled a bit since his early hit start to the season. Nevertheless, he’s exactly the type of player to give the Clippers problems: a quick guard who can get downhill. Stopping him goes a long way to shutting the Pacers down.
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