Los Angeles Clippers have been in an amazing form of late, with six victories on a trot, and will be looking for their seventh when they face Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on Wednesday.
The Trail Blazers have had a mixed regular season so far, and are currently on ninth in the western conference with 15 wins and 22 losses, but they can certainly improve and move up the standings. The Trail Blazers will expect good things from Damian Lillard, who is gradually getting back into the team after his seven-game absence due to an injury.
Lillard scored 17 points against the Memphis Grizzlies in a losing cause, but the star will want to play a big part on Wednesday and help his team emerge victorious.
''I was just happy to be out there,'' AP quoted Lillard as saying. ''I didn't put too much pressure on myself, it being the first game. I just wanted to come out and make sure that I was responsible and did what I needed to do defensively, get to the spots I needed to be on and make the right plays.''
A star player for Trail Blazers, Lillard is expected to hold the key. Blake Griffin, the key man for Clippers is expected to miss the game. However, the Clippers have been performing well despite his absence.
Another Clippers star player, Chris Paul will be the key man against the Trail Blazers. He believes they cannot make any errors as it could cost them the game.
"I think everybody realises there's less room for error," point guard Chris Paul said. "We realise we really have to play together, we gotta share the ball and I think that's what's been happening."
A great team is often characterised by how they rise to the occasion when the chips are down (Blake's injury), and they have stood tall with rest of the players such as JJ Reddick and DeAndre Jordan playing some great basketball.
Blake's replacement Cole Adrich has also stepped up his game, which does not surprise Paul.
"For a while, Cole wasn't playing and he's just a consummate professional, comes in and works hard every day and that's what you need," Paul said. "And then when his number is called, he's ready."
Where to watch live
Portland Trailblazers vs Los Angeles Clippers live NBA game is schedule for 10 pm ET (8:30 am IST) start with live TV coverage in India on Sony Six and live streaming on Sonyliv.
There is no live coverage of the game in the US on national TV.
Viewers around the world, including those in India and the US, can watch all the NBA live action by live streaming on NBA Online.
