Rowan Kavner
PLAYA VISTA, Calif. – Ask any of the Clippers, and odds are they’ll say their defense is the reason whether they typically win or lose.
That was the case the last time they played San Antonio, holding the Spurs to 85 points in a win at the end of January, and the Clippers (35-19) believe that’ll be the key again tonight as they host the Spurs (34-19) for the final time this season.
“I think we’re a better offensive team this year, but I think we’re worse defensively,” said head coach Doc Rivers. “What I do like in certain games, there’s been proof we can be a really good defensive team. I just don’t like how inconsistent we’ve been defensively.”
That inconsistency was evident after their last win against the Spurs, allowing at least 100 points in four straight games – all losses – before tightening up and holding their final two opponents before the All-Star break to fewer than 100 points in two wins.
As Rivers said, their last game against San Antonio “was a blueprint” for how the Clippers need to play defensively the rest of the year.
Tipoff: 7:30pm PST
LAST TIME OUT
Clippers 110, Rockets 95 – DeAndre Jordan had his second straight 20-20 game, posting 24 points and 20 rebounds. The Clippers held the Rockets to a 9-for-45 mark from 3-point range, as J.J. Redick added 20 points for the Clippers’ second straight win.
Spurs 104, Pistons 87 – Strong starts the first and second half were all the Spurs needed to take care of the Pistons, who scored just 12 points in the first quarter. Danny Green made five 3-pointers and the Pistons finished with just 17 assists to the Spurs’ 26.
NOTEWORTHY MATCHUP
DeAndre Jordan vs. Spurs’ dribble penetrators – The first time these teams played, Jordan had 13 rebounds and five blocks in a close loss. The next time they played, Jordan wasn’t as much of a factor defensively and the Spurs scored 125 points. In the most recent matchup, Jordan had 19 rebounds and four blocks in a win. What Jordan’s done offensively has been impressive the past couple games, but against a team with multiple players capable of driving through the lane, they’ll need him defensively to help out the most.
TWO THINGS TO WATCH
Look For Leonard – The only time in three previous matchups with the Spurs this season that Leonard wasn’t San Antonio’s high scorer was when he didn’t play. The Spurs have fed Leonard and he’s answered against the Clippers, with 26 points and 10 rebounds in the first matchup of the year and 24 points in the most recent matchup. Matt Barnes and company will have their hands full in the first game out of the All-Star break.
On The Boards – The Spurs are going to get open threes almost every game; that may be inevitable. Where the Clippers showed they could win last game is inside. In their only win in three previous matchups this season, the Clippers outrebounded the Spurs by 20 and scored 14 more points in the paint. Repeating that will be an uphill battle without Blake Griffin.
NOTES: In a busy trade deadline, neither the Clippers nor the Spurs made any moves … The Spurs don’t listen anyone on their injury report … Griffin will be out while dealing with elbow surgery … Griffin was the Clippers’ high scorer in two of three previous matchups against the Spurs this year … Both teams won their last two games before the break … The two wins snapped a four-game losing streak for the Clippers, while the Spurs have won four of their last five games … This will be the final matchup between the teams this regular season … The Clippers’ last win at home against the Spurs came in December 2013 …
