Toronto Raptors (22-7) at Los Angeles Clippers (20-10): 3 keys to victory
By Brian Boake
Dec 25, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) guards Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Raptors visit the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the home of the Clippers and Lakers, and a wasteland for our team. The Raps haven’t beaten the Clips here since 2009, going 0-4. Despite the Clippers’ record being inferior, they are the clear-cut favorites in this game. They likely would be even if DeMar DeRozan were healthy; missing him, and Landry Fields (listed as “questionable”, which would be the right word to describe the judgement of any team doctor who would clear Fields to play after suffering that nasty injury to his skull), the Raps have their work cut out.
The Clippers are led by two of the NBA’s finest players at their positions: point guard Chris Paul and power forward Blake Griffin. Watching the confrontation between two determined small guards (Kyle Lowry vs. Paul) will be worth the price of admission by itself. For example, Paul ranks fourth in assists (9.5 Per Game [PG]), while our guy’s 7.7 stands sixth. We can’t expect a saw-off up front though. Amir Johnson will need all his veteran wiles to avoid getting repeatedly posterized by the muscular, gifted Griffin, whose shooting range extends beyond the 3-point arc. He’ll no doubt throw down some of his power jams (stay out of the way!), but he’s a well-rounded scorer now. Jonas Valanciunas will have to contend with DeAndre Jordan, league leader in rebounds at 13.4. If Jordan had any post moves, he’d be unfair. The shooting guard is J.J. Redick, still taking and making from long range in his ninth season. Matt Barnes starts at small forward. He’s more of a defensive pest than a threat to score, but may find himself with more offensive opportunities in DeRozan’s absence.
The Clippers’ bench offers little respite. Any team with Jamal Crawford, a former Sixth-Man-of-the-Year Award winner, doesn’t need to worry about bench scoring. This guy takes seemingly wild shots that hit nothing but net a great number of times. I still remember him, in a Bulls uniform, pouring in 50 points against the Raps. Their other guards – Jordan Farmar, Chris Douglas-Roberts – can’t match our second unit people.
Hedo Turkoglu is a Clipper – all together now…BOO! Spencer Hawes, an effective big man inside who can step out and make the three, is “doubtful”, which is fine with me. Glenn “Big Baby” Davis is a solid bet to battle with Pyscho-T under the boards.
The Clippers are a high-scoring bunch playing at home, and feelin’ pretty solid after defeating the league’s best team, the Golden State Warriors. The Raps should still show up to play; they might even win if they…:
(1)…get Jordan to sit down. He’s tied for second in blocked shots, so this is no easy assignment, but our guys have to get in his face and coax some fouls.
(2)…stay mobile on the perimeter. Redick and Crawford can both light it up, with quick releases at the end of pick-&-pop plays. Our defenders will have to fight through a series of screens.
(3)…get scoring from everyone. We need Greivis Vasquez’s runner, Terrence Ross’ long ball, Amir Johson’s putbacks. The Clippers will get their points. Will we get ours?
Sorry, Dwane Casey. We aren’t holding these guys under a century, but you’ll be happy with a win. Toronto 113-Clippers 109.