The Portland Trail Blazers are set to take on the Los Angeles Clippers this Friday in an exciting NBA matchup at the Moda Center. Scheduled for 7 p.m., this game is crucial for both teams as they look to improve their standing in the Western Conference.
The Blazers, with a record of 12-18, will face a struggling Clippers team that stands at 8-21. The Clippers may find some momentum, entering this game on a two-game winning streak after impressive victories over the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets. In their last game, the Clippers triumphed over the Rockets with a score of 128-108, thanks to outstanding performances from Kawhi Leonard, who scored 41 points, and James Harden with 29 points.
Despite their recent success, the Clippers have the second-fewest wins in the Western Conference and are struggling with a 3-13 record on the road this season. This game marks the second encounter between the Blazers and Clippers this season, with the first matchup on October 26 resulting in a 114-107 victory for Los Angeles.
The Trail Blazers are hoping to turn things around after suffering two consecutive losses at home against the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic. In both games, Portland displayed resilience by erasing double-digit deficits in the fourth quarter, only to fall short in the final moments. Before these losses, the Blazers had won three straight games. However, they have faced challenges in shooting, ranking second-worst in the NBA with a three-point shooting percentage of 33.2%. Deni Avdija has been a standout player for Portland, contributing 25 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in the recent loss to the Magic.
In terms of injuries, the Blazers may be without several key players, including Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, Damian Lillard, and Matisse Thybulle, among others. The Clippers will also be missing key personnel, such as Derrick Jones Jr., Bradley Beal, Ivica Zubac, and Chris Paul.
Following this game, the Trail Blazers will host the Boston Celtics on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Moda Center, where they will look to bounce back and gain momentum for the second half of the season. This matchup against the Clippers is a significant test for both teams as they strive for improvement and a chance to turn their seasons around.