The Los Angeles Clippers surprised a lot of people by the way they blew out the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1, winning 107-92. Can they keep the momentum going in Game 2, or will the defending champs make a stand a steal a game on the road?
Projected Starting Lineups
(3) Los Angeles Clippers (56-26)
G Chris Paul – 19.1 ppg, 10.2 apg
G J.J. Redick – 16.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg
F Matt Barnes – 10.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg
F Blake Griffin – 21.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 5.3 apg
C DeAndre Jordan – 11.5 ppg, 15.0 rpg, 2.3 bpg
(6) San Antonio Spurs (55-27)
G Tony Parker - 14.4 ppg, 4.9 apg
G Danny Green – 11.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg
F Kawhi Leonard - 16.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.3 spg
F Tim Duncan - 13.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg
C Tiago Splitter – 8.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg
What to watch for:
What defensive adjustments will San Antonio make?
The Clippers seemed to be able to do whatever they wanted to on offense as they shot 51.3 percent from the field, and that was the biggest reason they were able to win Game 1. Chris Paul had 32 points, Blake Griffin had 26, and Jamal Crawford added 17 off the bench. There's no way Los Angeles will be that hot from the floor for the second straight game, but San Antonio needs to take away the shots the Clippers want to get if they want to win Game 2.
How will San Antonio's "Big 3" rebound?
Kawhi Leonard had a good game in the series opener, but Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili combined to score just 31 points on 11/31 shooting. The Spurs desperately need their Big 3 to play like their old selves if they're going to get back into the series.
Prediction: Clippers win 102-99
Los Angeles looked unstoppable in Game 1, but Game 2 will be much closer. However, the Clippers will still be productive enough on offense to simply outscore the Spurs, who look wounded.
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