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A week after facing the Toronto Raptors for the first time this season, the LA Clippers will do it again on Tuesday, this time in the Raptors’ home away from home in Tampa, Florida, with only four games left in the regular season for the Clips.
Game Information
When: Tuesday, May 11 at 4:30 p.m. PT
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
How to watch/listen: Bally Sports SoCal
Opposing perspective: Raptors HQ
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers (45-23): Reggie Jackson, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Ivica Zubac, Marcus Morris Sr.
Raptors (27-41): Yuta Watanabe, Jalen Harris, Khem Birch, Gary Trent Jr., Malachi Flynn
Injuries/Absences
Clippers: Serge Ibaka (back), Amir Coffey (health & safety protocols) — OUT
Raptors: Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Paul Watson — OUT; Chris Boucher — QUESTIONABLE
The Clippers are coming off a loss at home on Sunday against the New York Knicks, LA losing by six behind a rough day at the office from Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
While seeding implications are still in play, technically the Clippers can afford to lose a game here down the stretch before the postseason, but obviously no team wants to enter the playoffs on a skid. Hopefully the matinee loss will serve as a wakeup call with four road games remaining before the playoffs, with the Clippers trying to secure the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, the Raptors also have four games left in the regular season and it appears that will do it for their season overall, as they are two spots outside the play-in tournament slots and don’t look like they’ll find their way into that mix. Add to that, essentially all of their top players will be missing the game, and the Raptors have already started speaking about evaluating players for next season. Obviously motivation for one’s job can bring some fire out in the players, and if the Clippers sleepwalk through the game you never know what will happen, but on paper LA should get back in the win column through this game and if they don’t then it’s a huge concern. I’d joke “no pressure!” but this is exactly what the Clippers should be handling before the playoffs as a dress rehearsal for the real thing coming up.