The Clippers have a chance to boost their playoff position this weekend with back-to-back home games.
Follow Us
The Clippers have a chance to boost their playoff position this weekend with back-to-back home games. They’ll kick things off on Saturday against the Bulls, and then face off against the Bucks in an early game on Sunday. So, they better set those alarm clocks and get ready to rise and shine for both matchups.
Lately, the Clippers’ performance has been inconsistent as they aim to climb up the Western Conference standings. Starting Friday’s play in fourth place, they’ve had a so-so record of 6-6 since February 7, after briefly reaching the top spot. However, they’ve managed to win three out of their last four games, with their only loss during that stretch being against Milwaukee on Monday, where they let slip a 15-point lead in the third quarter.
The Clippers bounced back with a 122-116 win on the road against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Kawhi Leonard led the charge with 28 points, while Paul George chipped in with 21. Ivica Zubac couldn’t play in the second half due to illness, so Mason Plumlee stepped up from the bench, scoring eight points and grabbing 11 rebounds, all in the latter half of the game. The Clippers dominated the Rockets, outscoring them 78-59 in the final two quarters.
For the Clippers, Westbrook will not be playing the game due to a hand injury. Besides, George, Harden, and Leonard are questionable for the game. As for the Bulls, Ball (knee injury), LaVine (ankle injury), and Williams (foot injury) will sit this one out.
The Clippers’ newfound aggressiveness might be just what they need against the Bulls, who are currently riding a three-game winning streak. Chicago managed to snag victories on their Western Conference road trip, including a 119-117 win against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday and a 125-122 victory against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.
Against the Warriors, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic both had impressive performances, each scoring 33 points. Vucevic also grabbed 11 rebounds compared to DeRozan’s eight. The Bulls shot an impressive 52.9 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc, while they held the sharp-shooting Golden State team to just 26.2 percent from 3-point range.
The Bulls are currently in a play-in spot for the Eastern Conference playoffs, and they’re starting to shift their focus between finishing up the regular season and gearing up for the postseason, which kicks off in mid-April.
Get the latest from Sportslumo.com by following us on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube
