This month I go to the hardwood courts of the National Basketball Association as I take a look at the Los Angeles Clippers at the Phoenix Suns match-up.
Los Angeles Clippers (5-3) @ Phoenix Suns (3-4)
Overview: The Los Angeles Clippers have started out the season with a 5-3 record. Last night they were defeated 118-108 at the Dallas Mavericks. The team shot 43% from the field, 66.7% from the free throw line, and 44.4% from the 3 point line. Starting power forward Blake Griffin led the way by scoring 21 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. He also had 3 assists. He shot 8 of 19 from the field and 5 of 7 from the free throw line. Backup shooting guard Austin Rivers came off the bench to pour in 16 points. He also had 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. He was 7 of 14 from the field and 2 of 6 from the 3 point line. Starting point guard Chris Paul notched a double-double as he scored 11 points and dished out 11 assists. He was 2 of 11 from the field, 6 of 7 from the free throw line, and 1 of 3 from the 3 point line. Backup shooting guard Jamal Crawford contributed with 11 points. He was 3 of 8 from the field, 4 of 4 from the free throw line, and 1 of 3 from the 3 point line. Starting center DeAndre Jordan chipped in with 9 points and 11 rebounds. He shot 3 of 5 from the field and 3 of 9 from the free throw line. Starting shooting guard J.J. Redick scored 10 points. He was 4 of 6 from the field and 2 of 3 from the 3 point line. Backup small forward Paul Pierce produced 10 points and 7 rebounds. He also had 2 assists. He shot 3 of 5 from the field, 2 of 2 from the free throw line, and 2 of 4 from the 3 point line. Backup small forward Josh Smith netted 7 points and grabbed 3 rebounds. He was 2 of 6 from the field, 1 of 2 from the free throw line, and 2 of 4 from the 3 point line. Starting small forward Lance Stephenson had 6 points and 2 rebounds. He shot 3 of 9 from the field. Tonight is their 4th road game of the season. They are 1-2 on the road this season. Tonight is their 5th game versus a Pacific division opponent. This season they are 3-1 versus Pacific division opponents. Tonight is the 2nd game of a back to back. They are 1-0 in the 2nd game so far this season. After tonight they go home for 9 of their next 11 games. Their next game is Saturday at home versus the Detroit Pistons. The Phoenix Suns have started out the season with a 3-4 record. They have lost 3 of their last 4 games after a 124-103 defeat at the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday evening. The team shot 45.2% from the field, 76.9% from the free throw line, and 43.8% from the 3 point line. Starting point guard Eric Bledsoe led the team as he produced a double-double with 28 points and 11 assists. He also had 2 rebounds. He shot 10 of 15 from the field, 6 of 7 from the free throw line, and 2 of 2 from the 3 point line. Starting power forward Markieff Morris contributed with 19 points and 5 rebounds. He was 7 of 20 from the field and 5 of 6 from the free throw line. Backup small forward T.J. Warren had 17 points. He also had 2 rebounds. He was 7 of 10 from the field and 3 of 3 from the free throw line. Starting shooting guard Brandon Knight netted 14 points. He also had 4 rebounds. He shot 6 of 14 from the field and 2 of 6 from the 3 point line. Backup center Alex Len came off the bench to score 8 points. He also grabbed 5 rebounds and had 2 steals. Tonight is their 5th home game of the season. They are 2-2 at home so far this season. Tonight is their 3rd game versus a Pacific division opponent. This season they are 1-1 versus Pacific division opponents. Tonight is the 1st game of a 4 game home stand. Their next game is at home versus the Denver Nuggets.
Tonight is the 2nd meeting of the season between Los Angeles and Phoenix. On November 2nd, the Clippers notched a 102-96 home victory. After tonight the 2 teams play 2 more time this season: February 22nd 2016 at Los Angeles and April 13th 2016 at Phoenix. The Clippers have won the last 8 meetings with the Suns. The Suns’ last victory in the series was December 30th 2013.
Prediction: Now that the Clippers are past the whole ‘DeAndre Jordan plays a game in Dallas’ fiasco that occurred last night they can get back to business. The Suns continue to be enigma, I don’t think anyone knows how good or how bad this team really is. I look for the Clippers to continue their recent dominance in this head to head series with the Suns.
Play: Clippers -2.5 (Bet365)
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