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And just like that, the 2020-2021 NBA regular season is close to wrapping up. We’ve almost made it through. Today will be the Clippers’ final home game of the regular season, as they’ll hit the road for four games to close out their campaign. Entering today’s contest, LA sits at 26-9 at Staples Center on the season.
Game Information
When: Sunday, May 9 at 12:30 p.m. PT
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
How to watch/listen: Bally Sports West
Opposing perspective: Posting and Toasting
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers (45-22): Reggie Jackson, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Ivica Zubac, Marcus Morris Sr.
Knicks (37-30): RJ Barrett, Elfrid Payton, Reggie Bullock, Nerlens Noel, Julius Randle
Injuries/Absences
Clippers: Serge Ibaka (back), Amir Coffey (health & safety protocols) — OUT
Knicks: Luca Vildoza — OUT, Alex Burks, Immanuel Quickley — QUESTIONABLE
Don’t worry, I’m still trying to adjust to the Knicks being a playoff team as well. The last time the Clippers faced a Knicks team that was seven games over .500 was probably before my time. Kidding, I’m sure it wasn’t that long ago.
This will be the second matchup on the season for these two teams. The Clips got the victory in the first game, winning by 14. However, don’t let that total fool you. LA had a one-point lead at halftime and were up by only two points with eight minutes remaining in the game. Over the final seven minutes, LA outscored New York 24-12.
After winning nine games in a row and 12 of 13, the Knicks have lost their last two games by a combined 39 points. After looking pretty comfortable in the fourth seed, there is still a solid chance they could slide into the play-in section of the playoffs. They only have a one-game lead for the sixth seed, and a two-game lead on the seventh seed, which would result in them participating in the play-in game. Just like the Clippers, the Knicks will have four games remaining after today’s matchup.
Meanwhile, the Clippers are in a comfortable position. Barring a collapse from the Suns or Jazz, LA has the No. 3 or No. 4 seed on lock. They have a one-game edge over Denver for the third seed. With so much uncertainty in the bottom half of the standings, we’ll have no clue until the final day of the season who the Clippers have a chance of playing in round one of the playoffs.