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The Los Angeles Clippers start their six-game road trip when they visit the Detroit Pistons in an inter-conference match up. The Pistons had won the earlier meeting between the two sides at the Staples Center courtesy of a great individual performance from Blake Griffin against his former team.
The Clippers have won just 4 out of their last 12 games and have dropped to the 8th place in the Western Conference playoff standings. They are only a game ahead of the Lakers after an overtime loss against them in their last encounter.
The Clippers will be without Danilo Gallinari in this match. He is expected to return back to the lineup during this road trip. The Clippers have a 13-12 win-loss record on the road this season.
The Detroit Pistons are struggling themselves after having a terrific start to the season. They are currently the 9th ranked team in the Eastern Conference with a 22-28 record. The Pistons won their last match against the short-handed Mavs' who were without their star rookie, Luka Doncic.
The Pistons have struggled on the offensive end to create chances and are ranked 25th in the league in points scored per game. Blake Griffin, who was recently chosen as an All-Star, seems to be the only potent offensive weapon for the Pistons. Griffin is averaging 26.2 points per game and dropped 44 points against the Clippers in the last encounter between the two teams.
Here are the predicted starting lineups for the two teams:
Los Angeles Clippers: Patrick Beverley (PG), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SG), Avery Bradley (SF), Tobias Harris (PF). Marcin Gortat (C)
Detroit Pistons: Reggie Jackson (PG), Bruce Brown Jr. (SG), Reggie Bullock (SF), Blake Griffin (PF), Andre Drummond (C).
Match Predictions
The Clippers have been a better team than the Pistons this season. But they struggled in the month of January. The Pistons have a 14-12 win-loss record at home and the Clippers might find it difficult again to cope up with Blake Griffin.
I predict the Pistons to win a close encounter at home against the Clippers.
