The Clippers have had a strange season. They added several new pieces last offseason — Paul Pierce, Josh Smith and Lance Stephenson — but struggled out of the gate. Blake Griffin missed a significant portion of the season due to injuries and a fight with a team employee. Yet the Clippers were able to get it together and get home-court advantage in the first round.
Not much was expected of the Trail Blazers coming into the season after they lost four starters from 2015. But the one starter who did come back — Damian Lillard — was a pretty good one.
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And his supporting cast, led by Most Improved Player candidate C.J. McCollum, played well above expectations coming into the season.
Clippers vs. Trail Blazers matchup to watch
Chris Paul vs. C.J. McCollum
McCollum had a breakout season, averaging 20.8 points and 4.3 assists in his first year as a starter. But he’ll have his work cut out for him going up against a seasoned Chris Paul who helped guide the Clippers through Griffin’s absence.
Clippers vs. Trail Blazers regular season series
Clippers won 3-1: Trail Blazers 102-91, Clippers 102-87, Clippers 109-98, Clippers 96-94
Clippers vs. Trail Blazers schedule
Game 1: April 17 — Trail Blazers at Clippers, 10:30 P.M. EST (TNT)
Game 2: April 20 — Trail Blazers at Clippers, 10:30 P.M. EST (TNT)
Game 3: April 23 — Clippers at Trail Blazers, 10:30 P.M. EST (ESPN)
Game 4: April 25 — Clippers at Trail Blazers, 10:30 P.M. EST (TNT)
Game 5: April 27 — Trail Blazers at Clippers (TBD if necessary)
Game 6: April 29 — Clippers at Trail Blazers (TBD if necessary)
Game 7: May 1 — Trail Blazers at Clippers (TBD necessary)
Clippers vs. Trail Blazers prediction
The Trail Blazers are playing with house money, as no one expected them to be here. The Clippers, meanwhile, are trying to break through the early round troubles that have kept them from reaching the conference finals since — forever. If the Trail Blazers can steal a game in Los Angeles, they may have a shot at pulling this off.
Clippers in six.