Clips Nation - Clippers-Blazers game coverage: Rest for the wearyWhat it do babyyyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47967/clipsnation_fave.png2014-04-16T23:28:50-07:00http://www.clipsnation.com/rss/stream/53868512014-04-16T23:28:50-07:002014-04-16T23:28:50-07:00PDX KOs LAC, 110-104
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EuRGCnLhKb1yyJwhNVxP1MXyr40=/0x280:2486x1937/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31742527/20140416_tcb_ad3_253.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In a game that nearly meant something, the Clippers used a huge 2nd half run to make it a game, but came up short.</p> <p>Well, that turned out to be more entertaining than I thought.</p>
<p>In a game that featured reserves galore, the <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Trail Blazers</a> eked out your <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a> to officially put an end to what was the best regular season in Clippers history.</p>
<p>The game tipped off as the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> stole a game they had been losing all night to the lowly <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a>, in a game that included a double digit 4th quarter deficit for the home Thunder. The <a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Grizzlies</a> used a late spurt to defeat the Mavs in Memphis as well. So, instead of awkwardly rooting to meet a familiar battering ram in the playoff-tested Grizzlies in order to get homecourt in the second round, the Clips instead draw a Andrew Bogut-less Warrior squad. I'm sure many would have preferred homecourt in those first two rounds, but maybe it's best to not look too far ahead. And, purely from a the standpoint of a Clipper fan, it's not a bad change of pace to leave the Grindhouse for a bit.</p>
<p>So with nothing to play for on both ends, you saw a lot of what you'd expect out of both teams' star players: rest. The Blazer starters sans <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> played the first quarter and pretty much stat out the rest of the night. (<span>DeAndre Jordan</span> started the game but was pulled faster than you can say <span>Vinny Del Negro</span>.) After seeing what felt like hours of blown pick and roll coverage leading to easy <span>Robin Lopez</span> paths to the basket, the Blazers mediocre bench took on the Clippers talented but rusty bench. And the second quarter felt like more of the first, to the point where this game felt like it was going to be a blowout.</p>
<p>But the third quarter happened, and it turned out to be fun. The Clippers outscored the Blazers 33-14 in the 3rd, fueled by a 17-0 run that cut what seemed like an insurmountable Blazers lead to a single point. In the midst of the run, the Clippers finally saw Jamal Crawford's swagger return in full effect, which was the most reassuring thing to see all night. After starting the game miserably, Crawford had a nice 3rd quarter with 13 of his game high 34 points, including another 4 point play. It was a very welcomed sign after JCrossover's shot was completely off in the first half, and the Blazer boobirds were out in full effect by the time he got to the line for his 4 point play.</p>
<p>Once the Clippers took the lead, the game went back and forth, and the Clippers ultimately came up short. What would have been arguably agonizing ended up just a loss in what was a nice extended run of play for the backups.</p>
<p>A few things:</p>
<p>-In a game like this, you're bound to hear a bunch of things you wouldn't normally hear. My favorite: Ralph complimenting <span>Jared Dudley</span> on a nice back to the basket move in the post. Throwback to Boston College right there for Dudley.</p>
<p>-Is it just me, or has <span>Hedo Turkoglu</span> been looking pretty good recently? He's always been very savvy, and I feel like his body, slow as it is, has been catching up to his head some as the season has progressed. Now Hedo isn't going to be playing minutes in the 30s or anything, but I've become less terrified of the idea of putting him out there to play some sparse meaningful minutes. Much less terrified than say, <span>Reggie Bullock</span>.</p>
<p>-Nice games from <span>Darren Collison</span> and Matt Barnes. Barnes in particular looked like he really knew how short the team was tonight and crashed the boards a lot, doing a ton of those little things the team loves him for, without chucking tooooo much. Collison had a nice statline, but it didn't feel like he made as much of an impact as the stats had shown. Maybe because he badly missed a few threes, and he's been hitting them all season. And because he deferred to Jamal tonight, which is probably how it will go in the postseason as well.</p>
<p>-Some great <span>Willie Green</span> things out there. Green was moving off the ball plenty like his name was <span>J.J. Redick</span>, detracting from the hero ball we'd normally see mostly from Crawford and some from Collison. Nice to see all that movement off the ball tonight, particularly in the second half when the team put it together some. Collison and Crawford did their share of passing too, combining for 15 assists.</p>
<p>-<span>Glen Davis</span> is also played alright, but boy his physical limitations were a bit on display here.. Luckily the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Warriors</a> aren't too long without Bogut, but against there are contenders that are very long that could come up after them. The Clips were outrebounded 65-42 tonight.</p>
<p>-<span>C.J. McCollum</span> always looks like a nice keeper whenever I see him play. He had a great stretch at the end of the 3rd in the last game against the Clippers in Staples, too. Took him a while to get going, but he had more of the same quality play in the 4th. <span>Will Barton</span> looks like a nice athlete, too, for whatever that's worth. That Blazer bench isn't great, but there's some potential. That stat about two starting lineups all season is amazing.</p>
<p>-I switched briefly to ESPN, heard <span>Jon Barry</span>, and switched back to Prime. Yeesh.</p>
<p>Up next, the real games begin. Say hello to <span>Stephen Curry</span> and the streaky Golden State Warriors, in the series most analysts will tell you will be the most fun of the first round. I don't know if you've heard but, these two teams do not like each other!</p>
<p>For the Blazers perspective, check out <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/">Blazers Edge</a></p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/4/16/5623442/short-handed-clippers-fall-short-in-portland-110-104Shapan Debnath2014-04-16T22:33:17-07:002014-04-16T22:33:17-07:00Close, but no two seed -- Clippers will face Dubs
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JSoc7bZ1-raDUuIu6h3TXT4odl4=/327x30:3690x2272/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31742783/20140416_tcb_ad3_261.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Every game was close, but they didn't break the Clippers way, and the two seed was out of reach before the game started in Portland tonight. The Clippers are the three seed and open the playoffs Saturday at STAPLES against Golden State.</p> <p>The NBA games that mattered to the playoff situation for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> all came down to the wire tonight -- unfortunately, the wire came two and a half hours earlier for all but the Clippers game, so it was actually decided before they ever tipped off in Portland.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> led all night in Oklahoma City, but <span>Kevin Durant</span> gave the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> a one point lead in the final seconds and Detroit failed to get off a final shot (they failed to get off a shot for multiple possessions at the end in fact). I almost have it in me to be upset that the officials didn't give <span>Jonas Jerebko</span> a timeout as he struggled for a loose ball -- timeouts have certainly been awarded in more less clear possession situations than that -- but seeing the Thunder look so beatable in an important game is consolation enough.</p>
<p>Memphis and Dallas went into overtime in Memphis, where <span>Mike Conley</span> made two free throws in the final seconds before <span>Monta Ellis</span>' desperation shot came up just short at the buzzer.</p>
<p>Had the Pistons and Mavs held on, and the Clippers beaten Portland. then the Clippers would be the second seed, opening against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a>.</p>
<p>Had the Pistons held on but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Grizzlies</a> won as they did, then a win would have given the Clippers the second seed and another date with Memphis.</p>
<p>Instead, OKC won, the Clippers lost their meaningless game despite a stirring comeback, and LA will open the playoffs against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a> -- as we've suspected for awhile now.</p>
<p>A night like this puts me in mind of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a>, in which FIFA schedules the final games of group play to be played simultaneously -- they don't want the outcome of one game affecting the strategy in another. Most of the games on the final night of an NBA season are meaningless -- but a few really matter. How much more interesting would it have been tonight if all three of those games were ending more or less simultaneously? I don't expect that the NBA will change the schedule to have all 15 games on closing day next year start at 6:30 PM Pacific -- but maybe they should. It could make for some pretty compelling drama.</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/4/16/5623436/close-but-no-two-seed-clippers-will-face-warriors-in-playoffsSteve Perrin2014-04-16T19:30:02-07:002014-04-16T19:30:02-07:00Clippers-Blazers open thread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XzV0Qh-2Es1eoq8-LDcFj80WNvA=/0x107:2325x1657/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31734329/20131007_ajl_ad3_347.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Detroit leads in Oklahoma City by a point with 29 seconds left!</p> <table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" cellpadding="5" align="center"><tbody>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">2013/2014 NBA Regular Season</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/472353/bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium.gif" alt="Bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium"></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center">vs</th>
<td width="240"><center> <a href="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/233401/bahmh46cyy6eod2jez4g21buk.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Bahmh46cyy6eod2jez4g21buk_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/233401/bahmh46cyy6eod2jez4g21buk_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1397666842605">
</center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><b>57-24</b></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><center><b>53-28</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>April 16th, 2014, 7:30 PM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>Moda Center</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>ESPN, Prime Ticket, KFWB 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">Win-Loss Breakdown</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>21-9</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">East</th>
<td width="240"><b>23-7</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>36-15</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">West</th>
<td width="240"><b>30-21</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>34-7</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Home</th>
<td width="240"><b>30-10</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>23-17</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Road</th>
<td width="240"><b>23-18</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>25-17</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500+</th>
<td width="240"><b>20-22</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>32-7</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500-</th>
<td width="240"><b>33-6</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>7-3</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">L10</th>
<td width="240"><b>8-2</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Probable Starters</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b> <span>Jamal Crawford</span> <span><strike>Chris Paul</strike></span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Damian Lillard</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Darren Collison</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Wesley Matthews</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Matt Barnes</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Nicolas Batum</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Jared Dudley</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Dorell Wright</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">C</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Robin Lopez</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Advanced Stats</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">98.40 (6th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Pace</th>
<td width="240"><b>97.48 (10th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">109.5 (1st of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">ORtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>108.2 (6th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">101.9 (7th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">DRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>104.7 (17th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Injuries/Other</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: right;"><b><span>Danny Granger</span> (hamstring) out</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> (rest) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Blake Griffin</span> (suspended) out</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td style="text-align: left;" width="240"><b><span>Joel Freeland</span> (sprained MCL) probable</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>J.J. Redick</span> (rest) out</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td style="text-align: left;" width="240"><br></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/4/16/5622822/clippers-blazers-open-threadSteve Perrin2014-04-16T11:33:38-07:002014-04-16T11:33:38-07:00Clips-Blazers preview: Will it matter by game time
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ll8OUd0NQs4GzCM0amVpODHc1Y0=/0x38:4000x2705/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31715543/20140213_tcb_al2_090.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>If the Thunder win their game, which ends just before this one begins, then the Clippers will head into the playoffs as the third seed regardless of the outcome in Portland.</p> <table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" cellpadding="5" align="center"><tbody>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">2013/2014 NBA Regular Season</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/472353/bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium.gif" alt="Bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium"></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center">vs</th>
<td width="240"><center> <a href="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/233401/bahmh46cyy6eod2jez4g21buk.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Bahmh46cyy6eod2jez4g21buk_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/233401/bahmh46cyy6eod2jez4g21buk_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1397666842605">
</center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><b>57-24</b></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><center><b>53-28</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>April 16th, 2014, 7:30 PM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>Moda Center</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>ESPN, Prime Ticket, KFWB 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">Win-Loss Breakdown</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>21-9</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">East</th>
<td width="240"><b>23-7</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>36-15</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">West</th>
<td width="240"><b>30-21</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>34-7</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Home</th>
<td width="240"><b>30-10</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>23-17</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Road</th>
<td width="240"><b>23-18</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>25-17</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500+</th>
<td width="240"><b>20-22</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>32-7</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500-</th>
<td width="240"><b>33-6</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>7-3</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">L10</th>
<td width="240"><b>8-2</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Probable Starters</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b> Jamal Crawford <span><strike>Chris Paul</strike></span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Damian Lillard</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Darren Collison</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Wesley Matthews</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Matt Barnes</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Nicolas Batum</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Jared Dudley</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Dorell Wright</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">C</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Robin Lopez</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Advanced Stats</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">98.40 (6th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Pace</th>
<td width="240"><b>97.48 (10th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">109.5 (1st of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">ORtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>108.2 (6th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">101.9 (7th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">DRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>104.7 (17th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Injuries/Other</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: right;"><b><span>Danny Granger</span> (hamstring) out</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> (rest) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Blake Griffin</span> (suspended) out</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td style="text-align: left;" width="240"><b><span>Joel Freeland</span> (sprained MCL) probable</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>J.J. Redick</span> (rest) out</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td style="text-align: left;" width="240"><br></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Back Story (The season series is tied 1-1):</b></p>
<table border="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>Date</b></td>
<td><b>Venue</b></td>
<td><b>Final</b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>12/26/13</b></td>
<td><b>Portland</b></td>
<td><b>Blazers 116, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> 112 (OT)</b></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2013/12/27/5247182/clippers-lose-second-heartbreaker-in-two-nights-116-112/in/5009937"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20131226/LACPOR/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>02/12/14</b></td>
<td><b>Los Angeles</b></td>
<td><b>Clippers 122, Blazers 117</b></td>
<td><a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2014/2/12/5407438/clippers-stifle-blazers-down-the-stretch-for-122-117-victory" target="_blank"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20140212/PORLAC/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore" target="_blank"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Big Picture:</b></p>
<p>We should know just before tip off whether this game matters or not, but there's about a 99% chance that it won't. Oklahoma City is hosting lowly Detroit in a game that will end just as this one is starting, and if the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> win then the Clippers will finish third in the West regardless of the outcome in Portland. If the trip up and lose, then the Clippers can steal the second seed in the Western Conference playoffs on the last day of the season. Either way, the game doesn't matter to Portland, who are already locked into the fourth seed and travel to Houston to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a> when the playoffs start this weekend in any event. <span>Doc Rivers</span> has already tipped his hand that health is more important than seeding to him -- the Clippers made a nice run to make it close, but they did so while players like J.J. Redick and <span>Jamal Crawford</span> took extra time coming back from injuries. Neither Redick not Blake Griffin are in Portland for this game -- they're both resting in L.A., and while Griffin's is a forced rest imposed by the NBA in the wake of his 16th technical foul of the regular season from last night's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets</a> game, I have a feeling Doc is more than happy to oblige and have the decision taken out of his hands. It will probably all come down to what happens in OKC -- it won't exactly pump up the team to find out that the last sliver of hope is extinguished just before the start of the game -- but the Clippers might also have revenge on their minds given what happened the last time they played in the Rose City, when the lost in overtime after Nic Batum last second three pointer tied the game at the end of regulation.</p>
<p><b>The Antagonist:</b></p>
<p>The game may or may not matter to the Clippers -- it doesn't matter one bit to the Blazers. Coach <span>Terry Stotts</span> is giving LaMarcus Aldridge the night off, and although he says he's going to start the rest of his regulars, you can expect that they'll all get plenty of rest. Portland remains a team that is highly dependent on it's starting unit, so if the game mattered, then you'd have to like the Clippers' chances knowing they'd be seeing a lot of the reserves. Honestly, there's not much point in analyzing this game. Not much is going to happen.</p>
<p><b>The Subplots</b></p>
<ul>
<li> <b>[Note by Steve Perrin, 04/16/14 12:21 PM PDT ] Guess I should read the game notes.</b> According to the game notes the Clippers sent out just as I was writing this preview, Chris Paul is home in L.A. and did not make the trip. Rest is great -- but isn't Doc going to regret that decision if by some miracle the Thunder lose to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a>? Not that the Clippers couldn't win the game anyway, but if the game unexpectedly becomes meaningful, you'd certainly like to have CP3 on the court. It's probably a non-issue.</li>
<li> <b>Comparison of key metrics.</b> The Clippers have finally taken over the top spot in the NBA in offensive efficiency in the final week of the season. Prior to the season, most analysts figured they'd have one of the top two or three offenses in the league, and even with a bunch of injuries to key personnel, they've lived up to their offensive expectations. The defense has been more suspect, but compared to the Blazers the Clippers D is great. Portland is ninth in the Western Conference in defensive efficiency, and next to last among the playoff teams (only Dallas is worse).</li>
<li> <b>First round opponent.</b> Obviously the outcome of the Thunder game is important to the seedings as we've discussed. If the Thunder win, the Clippers will get the third seed and will face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Warriors</a> in the first round. Although the Warriors will finish in a tie for sixth if they lose tonight, they own the tie-breaker over both Memphis and Dallas, so they can't drop below six. However, if OKC loses and the Clippers win, they will face the seventh seed, which would be the winner of tonight's game between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Grizzlies</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Mavericks</a> (which is among the most meaningful games on the schedule tonight). That game will also be over by the time the Clippers and Blazers tip off. So, if Memphis wins that game and has secured the seventh seed, and if OKC actually loses, the Clippers would find themselves trying to beat the Blazers in order to reward themselves with a third straight trip into the hell of a playoff matchup with the Grizzlies. Fun.</li>
<li> <b>Redick out.</b> With J.J. Redick back in L.A. resting, it is the third time in three games that the Clippers will play Portland without their starting shooting guard. L.A. has hung an average of 117 points per game on the Blazers this season -- without J.J.</li>
<li> <b>Paul and Lillard.</b> Chris Paul is ridiculously competitively, very bright and very aware. He knows that Damian Lillard is getting lots of buzz as the next great point guard in the NBA. Paul has outscored Lillard 54-35 in two meetings this season, and that's no accident. Paul is so competitive, that even if the game won't matter for seeding, when he's on the floor facing Lillard, he'll rise to the challenge and want to take it to the youngster. [Note by Steve Perrin, 04/16/14 12:24 PM PDT ] Obviously this is moot now.</li>
<li> <b>Close games.</b> When the Blazers beat the Clippers in overtime the day after Christmas, it ran their record in games that were within one possession in the final minute of regulation to 11-1 on the season at the time. I made the point that those outcomes are more or less coin tosses and assumed that the law of averages would catch up to them, which it did -- with a vengeance. Portland's fortunes in close games have almost completely flipped since that night in late December, and now they can't win close ones.</li>
<li> <b>Two different teams?</b> The randomness of those outcomes in close games is a big reason that the Blazers' team fortunes have switched so dramatically. Portland was 24-5 after beating the Clippers on the 26th and 31-9 in their first 40 games. They recently went through a 14-18 stretch. Portland is neither as good as that 24-5 start, nor as bad as the 14-18 section (which they bounced back from nicely with eight wins in their last nine games when Aldridge got healthy).</li>
<li> <b>LaMarcus Aldridge.</b> Aldridge has been big for the team this season, but I remain a tad skeptical. He has improved his rebounding dramatically which is great news -- until this season he underperformed in rebounding for his position, but he's been great all year on the boards. But as I've pointed out before, his increased scoring is completely a function of more shots, and his efficiency has plummeted in the process. Of course he'll score more if he shoots more, so why make a big fuss about him scoring more? He was a better scorer before this season in my opinion. His true shooting percentage of .507 is by far the worst of his career and well below the league average.</li>
<li> <b>Joel Freeland.</b> Freeland sprained his MCL just prior to the last meeting between these teams and has missed the last 29 games. He's about ready to return to action after nine weeks and is expected to get a few five minute blocks of action tonight. Freeland, the 27 year old Brit who is in just his second NBA season after playing professionally in Spain for many years, had settled into the backup center role for the Blazers prior to the injury. On a team with limited options off the bench, Freeland had become the first big. Getting him back for the playoffs could be a big boost for Portland.</li>
<li> <b><span>Mo Williams</span>.</b> Former Clipper Mo Williams has been the Blazers leading scorer off the bench this season. Portland is so starter centric that their top five scorers per game are the five starters who all average double figures, and Williams is sixth at 9.7 points per game.</li>
<li> <b>Durable.</b> Aldridge will miss his 13th game tonight (the Blazers are 7-5 without him this season). The other five starters have started every game together, and Dorell Wright has been the starter in every game that Aldridge has missed. Which is to say that Terry Stotts has used two -- TWO! -- starting lineups this season. That's amazing, and also helps to explain how the Blazers were able to exceed expectations. </li>
<li> <b>Connections.</b> Former Clippers assistant and interim head coach <span>Kim Hughes</span> is now an assistant in Portland. Jamal Crawford played in Portland two seasons ago. Mo Williams was a Clipper for a season and a half. Blazers general manager Neil Olshey left a similar post for the Clippers to take the job in Portland. Clipper <span>Hedo Turkoglu</span> originally agreed to terms with the Blazers back in 2009 when he first left Orlando, but then changed his mind and signed with Toronto. You think they don't like him in Toronto? They REALLY despise in in PDX -- he'll get booed every time he touches the ball tonight, which will be funny in such a meaningless game.</li>
<li><b>Get the Portland perspective at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/">Blazer's Edge</a>.</b></li>
<li> <b>Shakespearean reference:</b><br><b><a href="http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/playmenu.php?WorkID=hamlet" target="_blank">Hamlet</a> -- <a href="http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/play_view.php?WorkID=hamlet&Act=4&Scene=7&Scope=scene" target="_blank">Act IV, Scene 7</a> -- Laertes</b><br><i>Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia, <br>And therefore I forbid my tears; but yet <br>It is our trick; nature her custom holds, <br>Let shame say what it will. When these are gone, <br>The woman will be out. Adieu, my lord. <br>I have a speech of fire, that fain would <b>blaze </b><br>But that this folly douts it.</i> </li>
</ul>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/4/16/5621008/clippers-blazers-preview-will-it-matter-by-game-timeSteve Perrin