[Saba Sports News] Although the Clippers overcame injuries in the regular season to finish fourth in the Western Conference, they were eliminated 2-4 in the first round of the playoffs by the Mavericks.
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Entering the new season, the Clippers lineup situation is not optimistic. Paul George, the core of the front line, joined Philadelphia and gave the team a huge impact on both sides of the ball. Kawhi Leonard, meanwhile, faces an indefinite absence with a right knee injury, adding to the pain. And the departure of Russell Westbrook, the “odd man out,” made the team even less powerful.
The Clippers, while adding new blood to the lineup with the introduction of defensive lineman Jones, interior stalkman Bamba, and veterans Batum and Dunn, clearly took a step back from last season. It’s worth mentioning that they had a great preseason and recently won four straight.
By contrast, the SUNS also struggled last season, getting swept 4-0 by the Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. This season, the SUNS have continued to build on their stellar trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, adding Plumlee and Morris to their roster.
In the two teams against each other, from the data point of view, significantly more inclined to support the SUNS. Although the Clippers in the preseason form is good, but the strength compared to last season’s significant decline, especially Leonard’s injury, greatly weakened the team’s fighting ability. Therefore, this game is expected to have the big three SUNS can win smoothly.