Game #4: Clippers(1-2) vs Blazers(3-0)

[Det the Threat]

After losing two in a row against the Bulls and Spurs the Clippers will have to regroup and try to get their first win at home against the Blazers.

These aren't the Blazers of old, as they've lost Brandon Roy to retirement and traded Andre Miller for Raymond Felton on draft day. Because of that Nate McMillan has completely changed their style of play and has the Blazers running like there's no tomorrow.

Therefore, the Clippers will have to play very solid transition defense and can't have either Jordan or Griffin in foul trouble, as the Blazers are pretty solid up front with LaMarcus Aldridge, Kurt Thomas and two former Clippers in Marcus Camby and Craig "Rhyno" Smith.

Injury Report

Clippers
Reggie Evans - out
Chauncey Billups - day to day

Blazers
Greg Oden - out

When and Where?
Sunday, January 1st, 6:30 p.m. PT, Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
This game will be broadcasted by




Starting Lineups:

Los Angeles Clippers


Portland Traillazers


Bench Mops

Los Angeles Clippers


Portland Traillazers


Team Leaders


Blake Griffin 28.0 PPG & 9.7 RPG
Chris Paul 10.7 APG & 2.7 SPG
DeAndre Jordan 4.7 BPG


LaMarcus Aldridge 20.7 PPG
Marcus Camby 11.3 RPG & 2.3 BPG
Jamal Crawford 2.0 SPG
Raymond Felton 6.7 APG


Key Matchup


Caron Butler

vs


Gerald Wallace

Wallace is a physical specimen that is benefiting greatly by Portland's new playing style and averages 19.7 PPG & 7.7 RPG during the first three games of the season.
Butler will have his hands full and must try to keep Wallace off the boards.

Our lucky charm for this one

Clippers Spirit Dancer Michelle

Five Questions:

Who will win that key matchup?
Can we stop them in transition?
Who will score more:
Blake or LaMarcus?
Our bench or Jamal Crawford?
Will we win the rebound battle?

Happy new years

and

Discuss and Go Clips Go!!!

[SportsFan215]

I have missed the last 2 games due to holiday activities, and look at the results. I hope I'm the lucky charm, and I'll make sure to see this one to get a much-needed win.

[jflipclip]

Blake Griffin's matchup intrigues me more. Needs to play some solid D any time now.

[supfoo]

this will be a tough game. even after losing brandon roy, blazers still have a well-rounded starting 5 and a strong bench. imo the clippers are the underdogs here.

also agree that blake griffin vs lamarcus aldridge is the real match up of the game. aldridge has one of the best back-to-the-basket games in the league and i remember the last time they played, griffin was consistently getting abused in the post. aldridge's length + footwork + touch is just too much for griffin. del negro will probably have to send early double teams to disrupt his game.

[mike3]

There bench compared to ours basically says it all, even Batum and Crawford to our what? They've got guys off the bench that can score around 20ish often.. to our Mo Williams and Foye, which I like don't get me wrong, but just exposes our lack of depth.


Really hope to see some solid D outta EVERYONE

[TheNewEra]

Another team with size over us off the bench

[DaVoiceMaster]

Damn, the Blazers don't stand a chance when the Clips have good luck charms like those!!!

Hoping for a good game. Blazers have only played at home so far so this will be a test for them. LMA really hasn't gotten going yet this season. He missed training camp and hasnt' really found his game yet. Het's getting there though. Two days rest should really help LMA who's been really tired so far. Felton, Matthews & Crawford weren't really hitting well from the outside, but found their shots in the last game. If that continues, this will be a hard matchup for the Clippers. If it doesn't continue, it'll be a hard matchup for the Blazers. I gotta be honest, I don't know much about the Clippers other than half their roster seems to be PG's (hahahahaha). Here's hoping for a health free game and a good game at that!

Go Blazers!!!

Oh, and send some of those charms up north please!!!

[taufblazers33]

good luck to you guys.
clipper fans are one of the classiest fans.
may the better team win

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I just feel like this will be a tough game. We haven't rebounded well at all. Even if the Blazers miss shots there may be opportunities for second chance points. (unless we start to rebound) I hope we can pull this one out tonight and start the new year right

[RiversideClips]

I think the 1st thing is, we don't get an officiating crew that is in "awe" of the talent & opposition. Chicago/Clippers REFs were horrible. It also seemed like EVERY time DRose picked up his dribble he would get a call, even when there was no contact.
The Clips NEED to play better defense & DJ needs to play smarter,he can't attack everything,the Clips lost the luxury of a SOLID backup when we traded Kaman. Cook tries,but he is not great & Thompkins looks a little intimidated.
Blake & DJ need to play SMART & Good Defensively!

[mkwest]

Thanks Blazer fans and good luck to y'all as well.

It's another tough match-up against a deep team with a lot of talent. We need everyone to be clicking and to show a better defensive effort than we have been. I don't care if that increased effort is just getting more defensive rebounds. We need stops and preventing second chance opportunities is one of the best ways to do that. Hollinger's Team Stats shows that we are currently the most efficient offensive team, but also the most inefficient team defensively. The Raptors held this honor a few years ago and the results were not good. If we want to be a legitimate team in this league, we must give much more of an (team) effort on defense.

There are a lot of interesting match-ups. BG vs Aldridge, Master (Camby) vs Apprentice (DJ), Wallace vs Butler, etc. Gomes and Foye have both been Blazers via trade but neither have ever played a game with them. Rhino will be making his return to Staples but as an opponent. Kurt Thomas may be the oldest player in the league, but he knows how to give Blake trouble.

[mike3]

any word on Billups?

[mkwest]

any word on Billups?

No Billups. Foye will get the start.

[adiedanny]

going to this game with my son. My wife bought me tix for Christmas.

[mkwest]

going to this game with my son. My wife bought me tix for Christmas.

Nice! Have fun and hopefully we'll start the new year off with a win.

[azncorruptedo17]

^ my lucky charm. lol

Who will win that key matchup? I really think butler will win, wallace seems to be less productive.
Can we stop them in transition? I hope so... =X
Who will score more: CP3 needs score more imo... he dishes early but he doesn't score until very late in the game, we need him to score more so he can be more effective.
Blake or LaMarcus? Blake!
Our bench or Jamal Crawford? Our bench minus foye... he's been unproductive, TBh i'd rather have more looks with trey if they can.
Will we win the rebound battle? I want to say us, but I think we've been rebounding POORLY.

[azncorruptedo17]

foye starting over mo will?

realllllyyyy?!!??!

[mkwest]

Will we win the rebound battle? I want to say us, but I think we've been rebounding POORLY.

We've been the worst rebounding team in the league so far.

[azncorruptedo17]

Will we win the rebound battle? I want to say us, but I think we've been rebounding POORLY.

We've been the worst rebounding team in the league so far.

ye =\ i thought we'd be good with our front court but dj needs to rebound like the $10mill/yr man he is.

[areg789]

foye with the hustle!