Philadelphia travels to Los Angeles coming off its best stretch of basketball all season. In the span of 8 days, they defeated two playoff teams in Brooklyn and Indiana, one scrappy playoff contender in Portland, and took the world champion Miami Heat down to the wire in a four-point loss. However, all of that recent success came at home in the friendly confines of the Wells Fargo Center. If the Sixers want to earn only their 5th 3-game winning streak of the season, they’ll have to do so in front of a raucous Staples Center crowd. Unfortunately, the road has not been a welcoming place to Philadelphia this season, as the team’s 6 road wins (6-23 road record) are tied for the lowest among all NBA teams.
As if the situation on the road weren’t bad enough, the Sixers will have to take on a talented Clippers team which defeated them soundly in Philadelphia last month, in a game Los Angeles led by as many as 30 points. Every game right now is crucial for the Clippers’ playoff seeding, as Los Angeles is currently in a dogfight with the Grizzlies and Nuggets for the 3rd and 4th seeds, and corresponding home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Los Angeles is as well-rounded as any team in the league as they boast top ten ratings in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Point guard Chris Paul would be an easy MVP candidate in a world where LeBron James and Kevin Durant weren’t having historically great seasons. Paul is averaging 16.6 ppg on 48.3% shooting, ranks first among active players in assists per game, leads the league in steals per game, and is tied for the league lead in identical twin brothers with the Lopez brothers (the Morris twins are actually fraternal).
Other than having the best point guard in the game running the team, Los Angeles also features all-star big man Blake Griffin. On top of his highlight-reel dunks and humorous Kia Optima commericals, Griffin has taken great steps this season to become a more complete player. To complement his excellent finishing around the rim and rebounding, Griffin has also improved his free throw shooting (up to 65.4% from 52.1% last season) and become a more active defender (career-high 1.3 steals per game). With an overall statistical profile that ranks top ten in the NBA this season, Griffin has proved he’s more than just a one-trick pony.
Besides their two stars, Los Angeles’ depth is truly staggering and their second unit blows opposing benches out of the water on many occasions. Eric Bledsoe was one of the most coveted trade pieces at the deadline and would start for most NBA teams, but Los Angeles decided to hold on to him to continue backing up Chris Paul. The Clippers have veteran, former all-stars like Chauncey Billups, Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, and Grant Hill, working as role players to help round out a deep, 9-man rotation.
Keys to the Game:
- Attack the basket. Los Angeles is very prone to fouling as they are the second-worst team in the league in opposing free throw attempt rate. Although it’s a weak part of Philadelphia’s game, they should try to earn trips to charity stripe to get some easy points.
- Hold on to the basketball. Led by the thieving Paul, the Clippers lead the league in opposing turnover percentage. Los Angeles loves to get out in transition and showcase the ‘Lob City’ dunks that are all over Sportscenter. Philadelphia needs to channel the 2011-12 Sixers and limit the turnovers.
Prediction: The Clippers are simply too talented a team for Philadelphia to try and break out of their shell on the road. As good as Jrue Holiday has been playing lately, the best point guard on the floor Wednesday night will have the word Clippers written on his chest. Although the Sixers enter play rested and Los Angeles lost Tuesday night in Sacramento, I feel the loss to the lowly King might just serve to make the Clippers angry. Chris Paul leads a loaded Los Angeles team to victory, ending the Sixers’ modest two game winning streak.
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