Scouting the Clippers: Spurs’ advantage will be depth

After defeating the New York Knicks on Wednesday, the San Antonio Spurs (26-12) return to action to face another media “darling” in the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers are currently struggling as they’ve only won four of their last 10 games, and even fell to the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday.

Case No. 39: Los Angeles Clippers (22-15)

Road record: 10-10. Last 10 games: 4-6

The King

Blake Griffin – 21.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 16.3 FG (53%), 7.4 FT (56%)

DeJuan Blair will need to be ready once again as he seems to be the defender with the assignment of limiting Griffin when these two teams face each other.

The Knights

Chris Paul – 19.6 points, 8.4 assists, 2.3 steals, 14.7 FG (49%), 4.6 FT (86%)

If Tony Parker plays with that aggressive fire in his eye that he showed on Wednesday against Jeremy Lin, Paul will be in for a long night on the defensive end.

Mo Williams – 13.5 points, 1 steal, 11.9 FG (43%), 4.5 3PT (39%)

Williams is now the Clippers’ sixth man, he’s going to have be ready for an offensive arsenal as he’ll face Manu Ginobili, Danny Green, and even James Anderson at times. Williams could be so busy on defense he won’t have time to handle his usual sixth man duties.

Caron Butler – 13 points, 1 steal, 11.7 FG (41%), 4.6 3PT (36%)

Richard Jefferson did a great job of defending Carmelo Anthony on Wednesday, he’ll now have to prepare for Butler who is mainly shooting from the outside these days. Jefferson will be getting some help as Kawhi Leonard will be coming into relieve him.

The Bishops

Randy Foye – 9 points, 8.6 FG (39%), 4.1 3PT (35%)

Foye is a streaky shooter but can get hot fast from behind the arc; luckily the Spurs have Gary Neal to counter him. Remember, Neal shoots like a guy who has no conscious when firing away.

DeAndre Jordan – 7.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 5 FG (65%)

Jordan will be facing Tim Duncan as Duncan has had a day of rest. Jordan will also have to deal with Tiago Splitter coming off the bench.

The Pawn

Kenyon Martin – 5.9 points, 6 FG (44%)

Offense vs. Offense

• 1. Points: Spurs (99.5) – Clippers (97.8) = Spurs
• 2. Assists: Spurs (22.1) – Clippers (20.9) = Spurs
• 3. Shooting percentage: Spurs (46.1%) – Clippers (45.1%) = Spurs
• 4. Three point shooting percentage: Spurs (39.5%) – (35.7%) = Spurs
• 5. Free throw attempts: (21.6) – Clippers (24.2) = Clippers
• 6. Turnovers: Spurs (13.1) – Clippers (12.9) = Clippers

Leader: Spurs 4-2

Defense vs. Defense

• 1. Opponent scoring: Spurs (95.3) – Clippers (95.7) = Spurs
• 2. Opponent shooting: Spurs (45%) – Clippers (44%) = Clippers
• 3. Rebounds: Spurs (41.8) – Clippers (43) = Clippers
• 4. Personal Fouls: Spurs (17.2) – Clippers (21.5) = Spurs

Leader: Tied 2-2

Game Expectation

With Chauncey Billups out the remainder of the season, it seems the Clippers still have a hole at the shooting guard position and don’t match up well with their bench against the Spurs’ bench.

If the Spurs get a team effort on both sides of the ball, this could be a double-digit win. But if they rely on either the starters or just the reserves to carry the load on offense, then the Clippers have a chance at nabbing a rare win in San Antonio.

On defense, either making Griffin do all the work for the Clippers or making Paul carry the offensive load will help the Spurs’ defense limit the other players and keep their main focus on either Paul or Griffin to beat them.