Los Angeles Clippers at Raptors: Preview & 3 keys to victory
By Brian Boake
The Clippers are at the Air Canada Centre, trying to avenge a home defeat the Raptors pinned on them in November.
The Toronto Raptors have enjoyed home cooking, winning all three of their matches at the Air Canada Centre since a 4-1 road trip. However, the road to another triumph will be much bumpier against the Los Angeles Clippers.
You want to talk closely matched records? Both teams are 28-15 and have won 8 of their last 10 games. The Raptors are fifth in plus/minus at plus_4.1. Right behind them are the Clippers at plus_3.9. Spooky.
The Clippers have usurped the Lakers’ decades-long ownership of southern California’s hoops fans. LaLaLand’s other team has been better for several seasons, and is regarded as being just outside the Western Conference’s inner circle. That rare earth is occupied by the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs, while the Clippers join the Thunder and perhaps the Grizz and Rox (I can’t see the Mavericks, despite their surprisingly fine season to date) as title challengers.
Blake Griffin is sidelined for a long time, but his mates don’t seem troubled by his absence. The roster is headlined by perennial All-Star point guard Chris Paul, who leads a team loaded with weapons. J.J. Redick seems ageless. He sits fourth among shooting guards with 106 made 3-pointers, though eighth in attempts. That produces happy math for the Clips, as Redick’s 49.5% conversion rate is by far and away the position’s best. Don’t lose this guy, or he’ll burn you. Paul Pierce, another man who won’t go away, just passed the 26,000 career points mark. Covering Griffin’s spot is veteran Luc Mbah A Moute. He’s been a glue guy his entire career. He picks, passes, defends, crashes the boards – not bad for a second-round pick who’s been with 5 teams in 7 years.
Jonas Valanciunas will have another beast to try to control. DeAndre Jordan takes full advantage of his hops and the penetrating skills of Paul to score alley-oop buckets consistently.
Jordan sits second behind Andre the Giant Brick-Tosser of Detroit in rebounds per game with 13.3. Jordan is third in blocked shots at 2.27, so we’re talking a paint presence JV can only aspire to. I predict Bismack Biyombo will log more minutes than our starting centre; if so, you’ll see a lot of jousting under the basket.
The Clippers’ bench could contend for a playoff berth by itself. Jamal (Instant Offense) Crawford takes and makes a bunch of crazy shots. I’ve always like Cole Aldrich, and he finally seems to have carved out a role for himself as a competent backup in the front court. Pablo Prigioni hit the NBA ten years too late, but he’s still got savvy and great hands working for him. Austin Rivers is the coach’s son. Though the start to his pro career was dismal, he’s slowly turning himself into a passable combo guard. Lance Stephenson has regressed badly, and may not get on the floor. He’s perhaps the league’s biggest millstone. $9 Million for less than four points per game? He has a team option for next season, and he’ll need to rise from the dead before the Clippers exercise it.
This game will be the home stand’s toughest test. The Raptors have beaten this team already, and can do it again if they…:
- …maintain a laser focus on Redick. Yes, I know I mentioned it above, but I’m emphasizing the point. He’s the key to the spacing of the entire Clippers offense. James Johnson will need to barge through multiple screens to stay on him. Earn your pay, JJ. The Raptors ranking in defending against the 3-ball provides no optimism; opponents are enjoying a 37.5% success rate. That’s the NBA’s fourth worst.
- …get a body on Jordan. Despite his gaudy numbers, the Clippers rank 24th in total rebounds. If he can somehow be neutralized, they haven’t got anybody else.
- …don’t take chances on D. As befits a squad with an elite point guard, the Clippers ranks 29th in turnovers. They are also the league’s fourth-highest scoring team. Stay at home, and keep your feet on the ground.
Let’s hope the streak continues. Toronto 103 – Clippers 100.