Clippers Face Tough Road Test in Back-to-Back vs Celtics

LA Clippers vs Boston Celtics: Back-to-Back Test for LA as Boston Looks to Extend Winning Streak

An exciting interconference matchup takes place Monday night at TD Garden as the LA Clippers travel to Boston to face the Celtics in the second game of a back-to-back. After facing the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night, the Clippers will look to overcome fatigue and stay competitive against one of the NBA’s most potent offenses. On the other hand, the Boston Celtics are riding high, having won five straight and aiming to extend their dominance in the East.

Clippers: Battling Fatigue on the Back End of a Back-to-Back

The LA Clippers enter this game after facing a tough test against the 76ers on Sunday, looking to close out their back-to-back set on the road. As of Sunday night, the Clippers stood at 10-7 on the season, sitting third in the Pacific Division, just 2.5 games behind the top-ranked Golden State Warriors. Although the Clippers have struggled to find consistency offensively, they have remained competitive largely due to their solid defense and strong rebounding.

The Clippers are 3-1 in the second game of back-to-back situations this season, showing a slight positive scoring differential (+1.7 PPG), although their road performance has been less than stellar. With a -2.2 PPG scoring margin on the road, LA will need to tighten up defensively to have a shot against Boston’s high-scoring attack.

Key players like Norman Powell, who is averaging 23.3 PPG, and James Harden, contributing 20.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 8.8 APG, will play a pivotal role in keeping the Clippers competitive. Additionally, Ivica Zubac (15.1 PPG, 12.5 RPG) will be crucial in battling Boston’s interior presence. However, the Clippers will be without Kawhi Leonard (knee), who is expected to miss multiple weeks, adding another challenge for the Clippers on this road trip.

Celtics: Riding a Five-Game Win Streak, Looking to Dominate at Home

The Boston Celtics continue to roll, picking up a hard-fought 107-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. Despite not covering as an eight-point favorite, the Celtics demonstrated resilience, fighting through a tight game after leading by as much as 12 points in the second quarter. Jaylen Brown was stellar, leading the team with 29 points and providing key contributions as Boston overcame a rebounding deficit (49-40) to secure the win.

With a 14-3 record, the Celtics have a commanding 4.5-game lead in the Atlantic Division. They rank 2nd in scoring offense (120.7 PPG) and are a middle-of-the-pack team in terms of rebounding (20th, 42.8 RPG). However, their ability to score from beyond the arc sets them apart, as they lead the NBA in three-pointers per game (18.6 3PM), hitting them at a solid 37.1% clip.

With Jayson Tatum leading the charge with 29.1 PPG and 8.2 RPG, and Jaylen Brown contributing 25.6 PPG and 7.1 RPG, Boston has a dynamic duo capable of taking over games. The addition of Jrue Holiday (12.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.8 APG) has added another layer of versatility to their lineup, and they have been particularly dangerous from long range.

Boston’s defense, while solid, has given up points to teams like Minnesota, so LA may be able to exploit potential gaps in the Celtics’ defense—especially if they can capitalize on their second-chance opportunities.

Conclusion

The Boston Celtics are in the midst of a five-game win streak, and with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the charge, they should have enough firepower to overcome the LA Clippers in this matchup. The Clippers will need a big game from James Harden and Ivica Zubac, but with Kawhi Leonard out and playing the second game of a back-to-back, Boston’s offensive firepower is likely to overwhelm LA. Expect a high-scoring game, but Boston should prevail, extending their lead in the East.

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