Pacers expected to get George back against Clippers
LOS ANGELES -- After capping a six-game road trip on a high note, the Los Angeles Clippers begin a four-game homestand Sunday night against the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center.
The Clippers (16-5) salvaged their recent journey with back-to-back victories over the New Orleans Pelicans and the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday and Friday. They started the run with a win over the Dallas Mavericks before suffering consecutive losses to the Detroit Pistons, Pacers and Brooklyn Nets before bouncing back in impressive fashion, particularly against the Cavaliers, who the Clippers hammered 113-94.
One night later, Blake Griffin's 27 points and 10 rebounds sparked Los Angeles to a 114-96 rout of the Pelicans to finish its stretch at 3-3. Although the players were pleased with how they finished on the road, Clippers coach Doc Rivers wasn't satisfied.
"I think we're better than that," Rivers said, according to the Orange County Register. "I don't think we should go .500 on a road trip. I think we should be better than that. We're asking a lot, but if you want to be special, you've got ask a lot."
The Clippers have been solid for much of the season. Their defense has been a major reason. Although they slipped to sixth in the league for points allowed (98.6) -- Brooklyn's 127-122 double-overtime decision hurt the Clippers' cause -- they are second to the Golden State Warriors in points differential at 10.4 points per contest.
Los Angeles, Indiana and the Atlanta Hawks are tied for second in steals at 9.2 per game.
Point guard Chris Paul has been one of the team's catalyst on defense. Paul led the league in steals at 2.62 per game before Saturday's slate. Center DeAndre Jordan was third in rebounding at 12.8 boards.
Griffin is the team's leading scorer, averaging 21 points per outing.
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Meanwhile, the Pacers (9-10) have struggled under first-year coach Nate McMillan. They were on the wrong end of a 131-109 shelling by the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, which kicked off a five-game visit to the West Coast. The Trail Blazers scored 73 points in the first half.
"They came out and got whatever they wanted," said Pacers center Al Jefferson, according to IndyStar.com. Jefferson came off the bench to score 13 points against Portland.
"They ran their offense very well and they beat us in every way they could beat us. For whatever reason, we didn't have it. I'm disappointed in the way we came out."
However, the Pacers have been without All-Star Paul George, who has missed six of the last seven contests with an ankle injury. George leads the Pacers in scoring at 20.8 points and second in rebounds at 6.8.
George, though, plans to play against the Clippers.
"I was good enough to play, but I wasn't a 100 percent," George said after the Portland loss, according to IndyStar.com. "Being hurt and sitting out, little stuff like that nags on you. But that's the only thing I'm hoping, that I can play without a tweak, where I have full strength where I can cut and be aggressive off the drive. That's the only thing I'm concerned about."
A lack of defense has been a concern for the Pacers. Despite their status as one of the league's leaders in thefts, the Pacers give up an average of 106.5 points, which ranked 22nd heading into Saturday's games. They were tied with the Utah Jazz at 21st in rebounding at 42.7 per game. Turnovers are another area the Pacers have had trouble limiting, committing 14.7 per game (tied for 21st).
However, Indiana was fourth in limiting the opposition's three-point shooting at 33 percent.
The Clippers, though, will be shooting for revenge. Indiana pinned a 91-70 blowout on them on Nov. 27.
