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Clippers vs. Wizards Game Preview
The Clippers will hope to get back into the win column with a home game against the league-worst Wizards.
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 – Amir Coffey – Kawhi Leonard – Daniel Theis
Wizards: Tyus Jones – Landry Shamet – Corey Kispert – Kyle Kuzma – Marvin Bagley III
Injury Report
Clippers: Paul George questionable (knee), Ivica Zubac questionable (illness).
Wizards: Isaiah Livers out (hip), Bilal Coulibaly out (pelvis)
The Big Picture
The LA Clippers are coming off one of the most disappointing losses of the season during which they had a 21-point fourth quarter lead and choked it away against the Los Angeles Lakers.
While it may have been a bad loss, the good thing about the nature of the NBA is that it can be washed away rather quickly due to the schedule. The Clippers have that opportunity against the Washington Wizards.
What has been troubling for the Clippers is that the Lakers game was just the latest in what’s been a tough February. The team has struggled to find consistency ever since the win against the Boston Celtics near the beginning of the Grammy road trip.
The defense, especially in transition, has been porous. High number of turnovers have only exacerbated the issue. The loss was just a smaller symptom of a larger problem.
The absence of both Paul George and Ivica Zubac does have to be taken into consideration, but the Clippers had a 21-point lead in the final quarter. That needed to be a win no matter who was sitting out.
Both players are once again listed as questionable against the Wizards. The absences have caused fluctuation in the Clippers rotations and bench units and it’s resulted in some strange lineups. Lue is famous for his tinkering and experimenting, but with the Clippers fighting for a top seed in the West, at some point you’ve just got to play your best and most productive players.
The Antagonist
The Washington Wizards come to town as the worst team in the NBA, record-wise, having surpassed the Detroit Pistons. While both teams sport near-identical records, there’s no question the Wizards are the most futile team in the league.
They’re a team in desperate need of a rebuild. They need to tear it down and start from scratch. They do have some intriguing young talent though, and a few players the Clippers need to watch out for.
Kyle Kuzma has blossomed into a much more well-rounded player than when he was with the Lakers. He belongs on a contending team. Slowing him down will be key to containing the Wizards.
The Clippers also have to limit Tyus Jones. Jones has long been one of the NBA’s most underrated point guards and now that he has a full-time starting role, he’s flourished. He also belongs on a contending team.
Deni Avdija, Bilal Coulibaly, and Corey Kispert are very good building blocks as well. But this team needs a Philadelphia 76ers ‘process’ like revamp. The Clippers shouldn’t let this game be close.
Notes
-The Wizards in town also means the return of Landry Shamet. Shamet was a key player on the underdog 2019 Clippers team that pushed the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. He was starter as a rookie during that series and hit the game-winning three in Game 2 as the Clippers rallied back from being down 31 points.
Shamet’s since developed into a capable role player. He endeared himself to Clippers fans during that run and expect a warm welcome when he’s introduced during the pregame introductions.
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