Los Angeles is a 3 1/2 point favorite, and the over/under is 199.5.
The Clippers have been full of highlights this year with the arrival of Paul (10.7 assists, 2.67 steals) and two of the leagues scariest dunkers in DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin. Griffin has benefited the most by Paul’s arrival as he enters tonight’s game third in the league in scoring with 28 ppg.
But to win, LA will need to focus less on the offensive flash and more on the defensive sets. The Clippers’ two losses did come against powerhouses Chicago and San Antonio.
Portland opened with wins over Philadelphia and Sacramento, and after
trouncing Denver on Thursday, the well-rested Blazers proved they are for real. To counter the Clippers intimidating frontcourt, the Trail Blazers have their own studs in potential first-time All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, (20.7 ppg) and Gerald Wallace (19.7 ppg).
Those two, along with veteran bigs Marcus Camby and Kurt Thomas, are the reason why Portland is second in the league in rebounding, averaging 48 boards per game; a huge advantage over the Clippers paltry 34.7. In fact, the Clippers have been outrebounded in every game this season.
The possibility of being without Chauncey Billups won’t help either. The Clippers starting shooting guard is listed as a game time decision after sustaining an injury during practice on Thursday.
This is a big game for both teams as they try to prove they’re part of the NBA elite. A loss for Portland would be less drastic since they would still be 3-1. But a Clippers loss will send them to 1-3, and people may start to wonder whether Eric Gordon absolutely had to be included in the trade.
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