I’m on vacation in Germany so this pre-game is going to be short like Mugsy and sweet like Bebe. The Raptors head into Los Angeles to take on the Clippers in a Saturday afternoon matinee. This is the second game of a beefy 9-game home stand for the Clippers. While they’ve sputtered to a 5-5 record over their last ten, they’re coming off a big win against the league best Golden State Warriors. The Raptors, on the other hand, have won seven of their last ten but kicked off their current six-game road swing with a loss to Chicago.
This certainly won’t be an easy road game for the Raptors. The Clippers have won eight straight home games and are 12-3 in the Staples Center this season.
Keys to the Game:
- Who Digs in On Defense?
This could be a high-scoring affair. While the Raptors and Clippers’ respective offenses rank 2nd and 3rd in the league, neither team is coming close to matching their top-ten defensive rankings from last season. The Raptors will look to exploit the Clippers’ mediocre three-point defense and the fact that they send opponents to the free throw line early and often. The Raptors, whose defensive rating has dropped to 19th in the league, will surely be looking to make amends for surrendering a franchise worst 49 fourth-quarter points to the Bulls.
- Who Stops Blake?
On a related note, who stops Blake Griffin? Despite playing without Chris Paul for both games, the Clippers swept the series against the Raptors last season. This is mostly due to the fact that Blake Griffin was an insatiable monster. In two games he averaged 33 points while shooting a ridiculous 64% from the field. In their first matchup Amir fouled out in twenty four minutes and in the second matchup Johnson committed five fouls in 24 minutes of play.
- Terrence Ross Likes the Clippers.
The last time these teams met Terrence Ross hit ten threes in a wildly entertaining 51-point explosion. Will we see another TRossosaurian performance this afternoon?
- Bench Play:
The Clippers starters are an absurdly talented bunch who plays especially well at home. Their bench, however, is quite a different story. Aside from Jamal Crawford, the Clips are getting almost no positive production from their second unit. Offseason addition Spencer Hawes is injured and Jordan Farmer has failed to replicate what Darren Collison provided for them off the bench last season. This is a clear advantage for the Raptors and if they’re able to draw some of the Clippers starters in foul trouble then the Raps may find themselves picking up a nice road win at the Staples Center.
- Fresh Legs:
This will be the Clippers fourth game in six days. The Raptors, on the other hand, haven’t played in five days so they should be well rested and ready to rock. This should be a fun one. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
