Opponent Scouting: LA Clippers. (10-8)
IMPORTANT PROGRAMMING NOTE: This is the start of a west-coast swing for the Pistons. I get up for work about 4:00am EST. The next three games will most likely not have recaps. I should still get up opponent scouting for all of them.
Today at 3:30PM EST the Pistons are in LA to face the Clippers. The PIstons are on one day of rest after losing to the Bucks, while the Clippers are on two days of rest after losing to Dallas.
The Them:
The 10-8 Clippers are not exactly thriving in the absence of Kawhi Leonard, but they are certainly keeping afloat. They miss his offense, coming into the game with the 24th ranked offense in the league, but they sport the 2nd best defensive efficiency in the league.
With Leonard out of the picture for the foreseeable future, they are lead by Paul George, who is giving a dominant 26/8/5 per game, his efficiency is lacking a bit under the weight of his offensive burden but he’s still spectacular. George is a shooter first and foremost, which means he can be a little streaky, but he’s more than capable of attacking all the way to the hoop. After George is former Piston Reggie Jackson, who has fully revived his career after the injury issues of Detriot (I’d also like to give myself a small pat on the back as someone who never stopped saying that RJax is a really good player) with 18 points and 4 assists per game. Like George he is probably overstretched a bit and it’s reflected in his scoring efficiency being down (this is going to be a trend here).
The rest of the starting lineup is Eric Bledsoe, who is still hyper-athletic and a difficult defender but his offensive numbers have been miserable. Ivica Zubac who is a talented (and still just 24!!) center who has enough athleticism and size to get by defensively and has good inside skills on offense. Also former Piston Marcus Morris, who isn’t putting up big numbers and his shooting/efficiency is in the tank but he’s still a solid forward who can do a bit of everything.
Off the bench, yet another former Piston is in the role of 6th man in Luke Kennard. He is doing well in the role and is one of the few guys on the team who is shooting the ball well (44% from deep!). Terrance Man can score in bunches, Amir Coffee is a guard who can shoot a bit. Isaiah Hartenstein is tall.
This team clearly has some guys who are overstretched a bit with Leonard out, but they’ve got a bunch of guys who are good players and know what they are doing on both ends, they compete on defense. It will be interesting to see where this team evens out, in theory, once some of their shooting catches up they could end up being awesome, but who knows how long their defense will stay at this high a level.
Matchups to watch:
Jerami Grant vs. Paul George: I don’t know if they will match up too much but in theory they will. Grant is the Pistons best option for George. He is the main-sail of the Clippers and if the Pistons can slow him down they will have a good shot.
Pistons vs. Generating offense from anywhere: The Pistons have trouble generating points against bad defensive teams, this might be tough.
Pistons bench vs. Surviving: With Kennard and Terrance Mann off the bench, the Clippers bring some power with that unit. The Pistons bench has picked up a bit with Frank Jackson finding his shot and Hamidou finding his way, but this will be challenging.
Killian Hayes vs. Looking healthy: Sat out the last two games, he could’ve kept playing through his thumb injury but they decided to give it some time to heal, hopefully he looks better.
Cade Cunningham vs. Length: Cade has shown enough that I’m not concerned for his ability to get by athletic defenders. But the Clippers have a lot of big athletic guys for him and it will be a challenge for him.
Isaiah Stewart vs. Not fighting anyone: Yeah. It’d be nice if he came out with extra fire on the court though to make up for missing two games.
So in conclusion…
Run for the hills if:
The Pistons score 10 points in the first quarter.
Everyone looks hung-over because it’s only 3:30
Reggie Jackson/Luke Kennard revenge game.
Wink knowingly at your friends if:
Killian Hayes is extant
Paul George is settling for jumpers and not hitting them
“Man I really wish Luke Kennard would shoot more” - Clippers fans
Opportunities for me to look stupid:
Paul George hangs 40 on the Pistons
Cade Cunningham rises to the challenge of the Clippers defense
Very few points are scored.
Pistons 80 - Clippers79
What do you think? Can they contain Paul George? Will either team break 90?