‣ Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George will miss the upcoming game against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a sore left knee, marking his fifth absence this season.
‣ Despite Paul George’s absence, the Clippers maintain the third-shortest odds to win the championship, trailing behind the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets according to several NBA betting sites.
‣ Through 52 games, Paul George is averaging 22.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, with a season-high of 38 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Paul George shooting around before Clippers practice.
He is OUT tomorrow vs. the Lakers.
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly)
Details
Paul George, the shining star of the Los Angeles Clippers, won’t be hitting the court for Wednesday’s face-off against the Los Angeles Lakers. That’s right, folks. His sore left knee’s acting up again. This isn’t new, sadly. It’s his fifth game on the sidelines this season.
Just last Sunday, George was a no-show at the Clippers’ game against the Sacramento Kings. And boy, did they feel his absence. The Kings outmaneuvered the Clippers in the final quarter, scoring 34-27. Ouch.
Kawhi Leonard, another gem in the Clippers’ lineup, shared his two cents. “I feel like we’re competing, but we’re just like a step behind. Hopefully, we get a rhythm,” he said. He admits the team’s been a bit off their game. But hey, there’s still time to turn things around.
Now, if you’re into NBA betting, here’s something to chew on. The Clippers are currently the third favorite to win the championship. Only the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets are ahead in the race, according to a couple of sportsbooks.
And here’s a tweet that caught my eye. Paul George, despite being ruled out, was seen shooting around before the Clippers’ practice. Talk about dedication, right? But, he’s still out for the game against the Lakers.
George’s recent performances? Well, he scored 14 points in a victory over Memphis last Friday. But, the Clippers have been a bit clumsy, with turnovers left and right. Against Oklahoma City and then Memphis, their turnovers were through the roof. Clippers coach Ty Lue didn’t mince his words about it. “We’ve got to be able to handle that pressure,” he said. It’s tough to snag a win when your turnovers outnumber your assists.
Let’s talk about a highlight, though. Paul George dazzled against the Oklahoma City Thunder, scoring a season-high 38 points. Through 52 games, he’s been averaging 22.1 points, among other impressive stats. Not too shabby, huh?
As for the upcoming game against the Lakers, well, history’s on the Clippers’ side. The Lakers haven’t had much luck in their recent road games against the Clippers. Plus, their overall track record in the past meetings isn’t exactly stellar.
The Clippers, on their part, have been doing pretty well lately. Except, they’ve stumbled a bit against teams from the Western Conference. And when it comes to playing at home or as favorites, their record’s pretty solid. However, close games? Not really their forte this season.
Betting lines for tomorrow’s game are still up in the air. But, the Clippers are favored to win against the Lakers, with a 67.7% chance, according to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index.
And for those eager to catch the action live, the game’s airing at 10 p.m. ET. You can tune in on Bally Sports SoCal, ESPN, or Spectrum SportsNet. Should be a good one, don’t miss it!
