Clippers at Spurs
THE STORY: The Los Angeles Clippers have been on the wrong end of a pair of one-point losses this week and had to go into overtime to earn a win Sunday. The Clippers have been dropping close games with some regularity since Feb. 18, when they lost a 103-100 overtime decision to the San Antonio Spurs. Those same Spurs represent the last stop on a six-game road trip Friday. San Antonio has not lost to the Clippers at home in more than a decade.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Prime Ticket (Clippers), FS Southwest (Spurs)
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (22-15): Los Angeles suffered a crushing loss at New Jersey on Wednesday, surrendering a last-second 3-pointer in the 101-100 setback. Blake Griffin suffered a mild ankle sprain late in the fourth quarter but is expected to play Friday. Griffin had a monster game against San Antonio on Feb. 18, collecting 22 points and 20 rebounds, but perimeter defense doomed the Clippers at the end of that game. Los Angeles has dropped six of its last nine games and needs a win Friday for a .500 road trip.
ABOUT THE SPURS (26-12): San Antonio is 15-3 at home and two of the losses have come during this homestand. But the Spurs were in top form Wednesday, controlling the game the entire way in a 118-105 victory over the New York Knicks. Tony Parker had 30 points and 10 assists in the Feb. 18 meeting but it was Gary Neal who hit the big shots, sending the game to overtime with a 3-pointer and burying the go-ahead 3-pointer in the extra frame. San Antonio took the Dec. 28 meeting at home 115-90 as Manu Ginobili carried the offensive load with 24 points.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Clippers have not won in San Antonio since Jan. 31, 2002, dropping 17 straight.
2. Los Angeles point guard Chris Paul has struggled to 9 for 29 from the floor against the Spurs.
3. Parker is shooting 63 percent over the last three games.