featured-image

Preview: Portland at LA Clippers

Chris Paul has regularly outperformed Damian Lillard in recent meetings, and the Clippers have gotten the better of the Trail Blazers, as well.

Both clubs seek a fourth straight victory in a matchup between two of the league's premier point guards Wednesday night in Los Angeles.

Paul has elevated his play to help the Clippers (40-21) remain strong in the absence of Blake Griffin, who is still recovering from an elbow injury but could return Sunday at Golden State. Since losing Griffin, Paul has averaged 21.2 points on 52.2 percent shooting with 12.6 assists to help guide Los Angeles to a 7-3 record and remain one half-game behind Portland for fourth place in the Western Conference.

Paul had 26 points and 14 assists and the Clippers allowed one fourth-quarter field goal in Monday's 110-105 win at Minnesota. Los Angeles has limited teams to 37.5 percent shooting during a three-game winning streak.

The Clippers have won eight of 11 in the series and six of nine since Lillard joined the league, including the first two matchups this season, 106-102 at home on Nov. 8 and 100-94 in Portland on Jan. 14. Both games were tied entering the fourth quarter.

Paul has averaged 24.8 points, 12.3 assists and 3.0 steals in his last four matchups with the Trail Blazers, winning three times while Lillard averaged 18.8 points and 4.5 turnovers opposite him, though he was 13 of 27 from 3-point range. His 16.4 scoring average against Los Angeles is his fourth-lowest versus one opponent.

Lillard scored nine of his 31 in the final period of a 110-99 win at Sacramento on Sunday. He's among the league leaders with 6.5 fourth-quarter points per game and has totaled 23 fourth-quarter points against the Clippers this season.

Portland is shooting 43.4 percent from deep while winning three straight and Lillard was 3 of 5 against the Kings, giving him 546 career 3-pointers, surpassing Klay Thompson for the most ever in a player's first three seasons.

Lillard is 8 of 16 from beyond the arc over his last three games after going 12 for 65 (18.5 percent) during a 4-5 stretch. His 34.4 3-point percentage is his lowest in three seasons.

"I feel good. I've been feeling good but shots weren't falling and things weren't going our way as a team. So it was a little rough," Lillard said. "But now it does feel like things are starting to turn around."

The Trail Blazers (39-19) are 15-3 when he scores at least 24.

LaMarcus Aldridge has 55 points and 31 rebounds over his last two games but is still in a bit of shooting slump, going 35 for 103 (34.0 percent) over his last five. He has averaged 28.8 points in his last four versus the Clippers.

The Trail Blazers have dropped eight of 10 on the road after a 12-5 start and are looking to avoid a seventh straight road loss in the series.

"It's just been one of those things, the road losses," said Wes Matthews, who is fourth in the NBA with 171 3-pointers. "We have learned from it. This time of year you need to get every win you can. Every win is a big one."

Los Angeles averted another injury concern with Jamal Crawford sitting out the second half against the Timberwolves because of a bruised right calf, but it's not believed to be serious.

Matt Barnes is questionable with a strained hamstring.