The Los Angeles Clippers (43-27) take on the visiting Portland Trail Blazers (37-35) at the Staples Center. The game gets underway at 10:30 pm ET on Thursday, Mar. 24 and will air on PRI and CNW.
The Clippers lost to the Warriors 114-98 on Wednesday. DeAndre Jordan recorded 19 points and 20 rebounds, earning his 43rd double-double of the year. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, are coming off a 109-103 win over the Mavericks on Wednesday. Ed Davis stood out, accumulating 16 points, nine rebounds, and three steals.
Over the last five games, Jordan has really been playing well for the Clippers. During that stretch, he has averaged 17.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.6 blocks.
Los Angeles should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. They rank third in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.7%). Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers force the fifth-fewest turnovers in the league (12.7%). The Trail Blazers could also control the offensive glass in this matchup, as they rank fourth in the NBA in offensive rebound percentage at 25.9%. The Clippers, meanwhile, place near the bottom of the league (26th) on the defensive backboards with a defensive rebound percentage of 74.4%.
The Clippers have won two out of three against the Trail Blazers this season, including a 109-98 victory in their last matchup. Chris Paul put up 21 points and 19 assists.
Notes
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Portland Trail Blazers are an exceptional 19-4. In games where they score fewer than 100 points, the Los Angeles Clippers have an underachieving record of 7-13.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Trail Blazers are just 18-31 this season. Los Angeles is a winning 36-14 when registering triple digits.
The Clippers have a defensive rating of 102.5 (ranked eighth), while the Trail Blazers rank seventh for their offensive rating of 106.4.
The Los Angeles Clippers have one of the best field goal percentages this season, ranking eighth in the league with a FG% of 46.1%. When their opponents record a similar or higher FG%, the Portland Trail Blazers have a poor 9-22 record.
On average, the Los Angeles Clippers attempt 27.0 three point field goals per game and the Portland Trail Blazers attempt 28.0 per game. In games where they attempt at least 25 threes, Los Angeles has a 25-19 record and Portland has a 29-25 record.
The Los Angeles Clippers, with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.81, rank third in the NBA. The Portland Trail Blazers have a lower A/TO (1.51), ranking 21st.
With 45.7 per game, Portland ranks near the top of the NBA for rebounds at fifth. Los Angeles ranks 24th with 42.0.
Los Angeles is ranked 19th in defensive rebounds, while Portland ranks third in offensive rebounds.
Los Angeles is among the best in forcing turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 14.9% (ranked 10th). Portland has a 12-14 record SU when its TOV% reaches 14.9% or greater.
