Opinion
3 min read

Clash at Crypto.com Arena: Portland Trail Blazers Take On LA Clippers

As the Portland Trail Blazers gear up to face the LA Clippers at the Crypto.com Arena, fans are keenly anticipating what promises to be a riveting encounter. The Trail Blazers have had a rollercoaster start to their season, with performances that have both impressed and raised concerns.


LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Moussa Diabate #25 of the LA Clippers  shoots the ball during the preseason game on October 19, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)

In their most recent outing on October 17 against the Phoenix Suns, POR showcased an aggressive defense with 17 steals but ultimately fell short in efficiency, losing 106-117. Despite this loss, there were positive takeaways; notably, their bench contributed a hefty 52 points and they dominated in fast break points with a solid conversion rate of 65 percent. However, turnovers were a glaring issue as they gave up possession 25 times.


The game prior to that on October 15 against the Utah Jazz saw POR put up an impressive offensive display scoring 133 points but again falling short defensively in a high-scoring affair that ended at 133-138. Their field goal percentage was commendable at 51 percent and they shot well from beyond the arc hitting at a rate of 38 percent.


However, it's not just about offense for POR; their defensive lapses have been costly. In both games mentioned above, they allowed over one point per possession which indicates room for improvement on that end of the floor.


On the other side of the court stands LAC who will be looking to capitalize on any defensive shortcomings presented by POR. The Clippers are known for their tactical discipline and could pose significant challenges if Portland doesn't tighten up defensively.


For fans of POR expecting victory in Los Angeles may hinge upon reducing turnovers and maintaining offensive efficiency while finding ways to disrupt LAC's rhythm without fouling excessively – an area where they've shown restraint so far this season.


Looking ahead to October 26th’s game scheduled for tip-off at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles at what would be local time (7:30 PM PT), fans can catch all action live on ROOT Sports NW or ROOT Sports NW+. This matchup is pivotal early in the season as it could set tone moving forward – will Portland’s offense outshine its defensive woes or will LA’s discipline prevail? Only time will tell as we await another exciting night of NBA basketball.

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