Clippers at Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers attempt to halt a seven-game losing streak
when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. Portland will be the
more-rested squad as Los Angeles blew a 23-point lead and lost to the
Golden State Warriors late Thursday night and then traveled to Portland.
The Trail Blazers' skid is the franchise's longest since losing 13 straight to end the 2012-13 season. Portland looked in good shape when it led Houston by 15 points in the second half Wednesday but the Rockets rallied and posted a 108-103 overtime victory. The Clippers continue to be outclassed by the Warriors and allowed 70 points in the second half as Golden State rallied for a 124-117 win. Los Angeles point guard Chris Paul returned from a two-game absence due to a groin injury and had a season-high 35 points along with eight assists.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), CSN Northwest (Portland)
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (6-5): Veteran Paul Pierce has started the past two games at small forward and the increased playing time hasn't ended his season-long funk. Pierce averaged 4.5 points on 3-of-12 shooting in the two starts and he is shooting just 33.3 percent for the season while averaging 5.6 points. The other options also are struggling as Josh Smith is averaging 5.2 points and shooting 37 percent and previous starter Lance Stephenson (5.6 average, 37.3 percent) didn't even get into the game against the Warriors.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (4-9): Star guard Damian Lillard is off to a torrid start and has scored 20 or more points in 12 of Portland's 13 games. Lillard, though, is slumping from long range and is just 3-of-24 over the past four games. Small forward Al-Faroqu Aminu has been a solid contributor with averages of 13.1 points and 7.5 rebounds and had 16 points and a season-best 15 rebounds against Houston for his third double-double of the campaign.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Clippers went 3-1 against Portland last season and have won 10 of the past 15 meetings.
2. Los Angeles SG J.J. Redick (back) likely will sit out for the fourth consecutive contest.
3. Portland PF Meyers Leonard (shoulder) is expected to miss his fifth straight game.