[8:00 PM] Clippers @ Cavaliers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Los Angeles Clippers (14-5)

@ Cleveland Cavaliers (13-3)

 

• Despite Cleveland’s early season success, the defending NBA champions played their worst game of the season on Tuesday, when they suffered a 118-101 road loss against the Milwaukee Bucks. Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue was so disgusted with the performance that he sent in five reserves with 3:49 left in the third quarter when the regulars continued to sputter.

• Los Angeles is spiraling in the wrong direction with three consecutive defeats after beginning the season with a franchise-best 14-2 start. Power forward Blake Griffin will be back in the starting lineup after sitting out for rest during Tuesday’s 127-122 double-overtime loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

• Center DeAndre Jordan registered season highs of 21 points and 23 rebounds in the loss to the Nets, and he was upset with the team’s approach against lowly Brooklyn. Jordan failed to reach double digits on the boards in three of the previous five games before Tuesday’s stellar showing.

• Shooting guard J.R. Smith is averaging three points on 3-of-29 shooting during a miserable three-game funk, and he came under fire for delivering an in-game hug to Milwaukee’s Jason Terry, which led to an easy hoop for the Bucks.

• The Cavaliers won the past four meetings by an average of 13.3 points and prevailed in 21 of the last 27.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers

Confidence: 5/10

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