Clippers at Trail Blazers
THE STORY: If there is any team in the NBA that should have fresh legs, it’s the Los Angeles Clippers. Thanks to the quirks of the 66-game schedule, the Clippers have played a league-low six games. Despite being a work in progress while trying to blend Chris Paul into the fold, they’ve been pretty good in those limited chances. “We still have a lot of growing to do,” Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. “There are no shortcuts. We can't take any shortcuts with this.” The Clippers will seek their fourth straight victory in 2012 when they travel to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. The upstart Blazers are a perfect 5-0 at the Rose Garden this season.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN Prime Ticket, Comcast-Portland
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (4-2): Blake Griffin, last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, has scored 20-plus points in every game, including 20 in a 93-88 win over Portland on Jan. 1. The triumph snapped a five-game losing skid to the Blazers. While Paul has yet to entirely find his scoring groove, he is dishing out assists as steady as ever with an average of 9.3 per game, fifth in the league. The Clippers are struggling under the rim as they have been outrebounded in all six games.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (6-2): LaMarcus Aldridge has yet to make an All-Star team in his young career, but this could be the season. The 26-year-old forward is averaging a career-best 22.6 points while grabbing 7.8 rebounds. More importantly, the Blazers are 5-0 when he scores over 20 points. Fellow forward Gerald Wallace is averaging 21.2 ppg at home compared to just 4.7 on the road. Center Marcus Camby has only three points in his last three games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Blazers are shooting free throws at an 80.1 percent clip, trailing only Oklahoma City and Phoenix.
2. The Clippers are averaging 35.3 rebounds per game – worst in the NBA.