After losing to the Golden State Warriors, the Portland Trail Blazers will take on the dangerous LA Clippers.
After working their way up to first place in the Western Conference, the Portland Trail Blazers have dropped their last two games. They will look to recover tonight against the LA Clippers.
The Clippers have had success so far this season. In fact, they are currently ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers in the standings and can take over first place in the Western Conference with a win tonight.
The Clippers do not have any big-name superstars, but they have 15 quality NBA players who work as a collective to compete on both sides of the ball. Led by Avery Bradley and Patrick Beverley, the Clippers are holding opponents to a field goal percentage of 43.5% (the best mark in the league). They are very good on offense, as well. The Clippers are third in the NBA in points per game and fourth in three-point percentage. LA is a formidable opponent.
The Blazers and the Clippers previously met on November 8. Portland won that game 116-105. The difference for the Blazers was rebounding. In total rebounds, the Blazers led 62-50. They were ahead in offensive rebounds, as well,14-7.
Al-Farouq Aminu was noticeably effective in that game. He not only recorded 11 points and 8 rebounds, but he also had a team-high plus-minus of +13. Doc Rivers loves to utilize three-guard lineups, so Terry Stotts would be wise to counter those lineups by deploying Aminu on the wing.
For the Blazers to win tonight, they need to break out of their current shooting slump. They shot only 36.6% from the field as a team against the Milwaukee Bucks. Then, the team shot only 40.9% against the Golden State Warriors. The Blazers need to not force shots and have patience with their offense.
More importantly, they need production from their bench. The team got off to such a great start because their second unit was so effective. Against the Warriors, the bench only scored 19 points. With Seth Curry and Maurice Harkless back on the court, that unit should be only better.
The Blazers have a chance to make a statement tonight against the Clippers and reassert themselves at the top of the Western Conference.
