NBA Preview – Kings / Clippers
by Thomas Quaynor – NBA analyst for Wannamakeabet.com
The Sacramento Kings (33-25) make the trip across state to face the Los Angeles Clippers (33-28) tonight at 10:30 eastern. The Clippers are a 7-point favorite and the total is 238.5. This is the third meeting between the Pacific division rivals, they split the first two matchups with the Clippers winning 111-109 at Sacramento on October 22nd and the Kings blowing out a depleted Clippers squad, 123-96, in Los Angeles on December 3rd. At 33-25, the Kings have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA, as they lead the Pacific division and are in a position to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2005-2006 season! The Kings are led by their outstanding all-star duo of point guard De’Aaron Fox (24.9ppg, 6.1asts, 4.3rebs, 1.1stls) and power forward Domantas Sabonis (18.8ppg, 12.4rebs, 6.9asts, 6 triple-doubles), they beat the short-handed Portland Trailblazers, 133-116, last night at home.
The Russell Westbrook Effect??
Four days ago, the Los Angeles Clippers made a big splash in the free agency/trade market by signing 9-time All-Star guard Russell Westbrook after the Utah Jazz waived him, he’ll make his Clippers debut tonight. He reunites with his former Oklahoma City teammate Paul George. Westbrook has received a lot of criticism over the years for his ball-dominant, aggressive style of play, especially with the Lakers these last two seasons. It will be interesting to see how he fits in with the Clippers and whether he’ll face the same sort of criticism and problems he did with the Lakers. This is Year 4 of the much-ballyhooed Kawhi Leonard-Paul George Clippers era, and its been a disappointment, due in large part to both players getting injured. Signing Westbrook may be a last ditch effort to win a ring.
The Clippers have been very good when Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are on the floor together, when you add in Russell Westbrook making his Clippers debut, I predict a big win for the Clippers tonight at home…lay the 7!!
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