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NBA Playoffs 2016: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview

By Mike McDaniel

Apr 1, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after being called for a foul on Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after being called for a foul on Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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In one of the more intriguing matchups of the 2016 NBA Playoffs, the fourth-seeded in the Los Angeles Clippers take on the fifth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers.

In one of the more intriguing match-ups of the postseason, the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers take on the fifth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers.

Both teams are so different in how they operate offensively, with Portland relying heavily on their dynamic duo in the backcourt with Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, while the Clips run their sets through their athletic bigs down low in DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin, with it all being facilitated by future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul.

Without further ado, let’s breakdown this exciting first round playoff series in the Western Conference.

Likely Starting Lineups

Point Guard

Chris Paul (LAC) vs. Damian Lillard (POR)

In what could perhaps be one of the most intriguing one-on-one matchups of the 2016 postseason, perennial All-Star point guard Chris Paul will be tasked against slowing down up-and-coming superstar Damian Lillard. Both point guards are as good as they are because of their sheer athleticism and ability to make their teammates around them better.

Sure, it seems like a pretty standard statement, but the consistency in which these two point guards perform is what helps set them apart from their peers in the league. Lillard is averaging career-highs in points (25.1), assists (6.8), and free throw percentage (89.2) in his fourth year in the league.

Meanwhile, Chris Paul is doing what he has done so well for so long. He is averaging a double-double for the sixth time in his 10-year career, with 19.5 points and 10.0 assists per contest. Oh what a match-up this will be.

Advantage: Push

Shooting Guard

J.J. Redick (LAC) vs. C.J. McCollum (POR)

C.J. McCollum’s play this season at shooting guard for the Trail Blazers has been nothing short of remarkable. It was apparent from his college days at Lehigh that he was a special talent, but it was difficult to predict how his play would translate at the professional level.

The frontrunner for Most Improved Player of the Year silenced all doubters in his ability, shattering all personal bests with averages of 20.8 points, 4.3 assists, and a field goal percentage of 44.8 percent on the season. J.J. Redick, meanwhile, has continued to play significant minutes on a perennial playoff team, carving out his role as a veteran starter with a lethal outside game. Redick is posting career-bests in points (21.0) and three-point field goal percentage (47.5 percent).

If a deep playoff run is in the cards for either of these teams, these two shooting guards will have to play as well as they have all season. In this matchup though, I give the nod to C.J. McCollum, as his ability to score in a variety of different ways sets him apart from Redick, who is more of a one-trick pony offensively.

Advantage: Portland Trail Blazers

Small Forward

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute/Paul Pierce (LAC) vs. Mo Harkless (POR)

This positional matchup will garner the least amount of hype in this series. However, if the other positional groups play up to standard, the productivity out of the wings could ultimately decide this series. Mo Harkless is better known for his defense than his offense, as he is only averaging 6.4 points per game in a little over 18 minutes per contest this season.

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On the other side, time has been split of late between Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, and former Boston Celtics legend, Paul Pierce. Pierce injured his knee about a month ago, and has worked to get back into the fold, but head coach Doc Rivers has prioritized rest for the veteran in order to get him healthy and keep him fresh for the playoff run.

Mbah a Moute is averaging a mere 3.1 points per game, while Pierce is averaging a career-low 6.1 points per game. If there is any indication though, Pierce plays his best come playoff time, as he displayed his postseason greatness yet again last season for the Wizards, hitting clutch shot after clutch shot.

With all this being said, it’s difficult to actually predict how well these three players will perform. A breakout performance on either side for the entirety of the playoff series could ultimately decide who moves on and who goes home.

Advantage: Push

Power Forward

Blake Griffin (LAC) vs. Al-Farouq Aminu (POR)

Al-Farouq Aminu is one of the more underrated players in the entire league, as he has been a beacon of consistency over his time in the league to date. Additionally, the six-year NBA journeyman is statistically having the best season of his career. He is averaging 10.2 points and 6.1 rebounds in a career-high 28.5 minutes per contest. As serviceable as Aminu may be, he will be tasked with facing off against one of the most athletic big men in the game in Blake Griffin.

Even though Griffin is at less than 100 percent after dealing with a quad issue for the better part of the season, he is still more than capable of playing at an extremely high level as he manages the pain. He has posted double-digits in points in three out of his last five games since returning from the injury, and has been an impact performer on the glass as he has for the entirety of his career.

The quad injury is not a major concern, as it has not appeared to have hampered Griffin much since returning. Although surgery may be needed after the season, he should be able to provide more than enough production in this series, and potentially beyond.

Advantage: Los Angeles Clippers

Center

DeAndre Jordan (LAC) vs. Mason Plumlee (POR)

This positional grouping is much like the power forward position above. Mason Plumlee has been as consistent a performer as they come since entering the league out of Duke, averaging 8.5 points and 6.2 rebounds over the course of his first three professional seasons.

Unfortunately for Plumlee, he has to deal with the best center in the game right now on the other side in DeAndre Jordan. Jordan’s freak athleticism and rebounding ability provides what is perhaps the biggest mismatch in this entire series. Jordan has been fantastic once again this season, posting 12.7 points and 13.8 rebounds per game. His work on the glass alone gives him a huge edge over Plumlee when breaking down this individual tilt.

Advantage: Los Angeles Clippers

Sixth Man/Bench

Jamal Crawford and Co. (LAC) vs. Ed Davis and Co. (POR)

The Blazers’ bench has been a sticking point for them at times this season, especially since losing big man Meyers Leonard to season-ending shoulder surgery. While Ed Davis and Noah Vonleh have performed well in their roles off the pine for this overachieving club, a storyline to watch in this opening round playoff series is whether or not the Blazers will be able to keep up the pace with a smaller lineup should Mason Plumlee head to the bench in foul trouble.

Alternatively, it is not out of the realm of possibility that head coach Terry Stotts elects to employ a small-ball lineup from the jump, inserting Ed Davis and Noah Vonleh early and often to perhaps offset the rebounding edge of DeAndre Jordan with a little bit more athleticism out of his two stretch fours.

Despite this, Clippers coach Doc Rivers has so many different options to choose from when he goes to his bench, choosing between perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate in guard Jamal Crawford, an athletic veteran wing in Jeff Green, and Rivers’ ever-improving son, Austin, among others.

It’s hard not to give the nod to the Clippers here, as they have perhaps the best bench in the league when the group is playing to how they are capable.

Advantage: Los Angeles Clippers

Coaching

Doc Rivers (LAC) vs. Terry Stotts (POR)

Terry Stotts has been nothing short of fantastic this season, pulling all of the right strings in getting a team that many expected to take a step back into the thick of things in the playoffs. The emergence of C.J. McCollum and another excellent season out of guard Damian Lillard has helped, but give credit where credit is due, as Stotts has been just as big of a reason for the unlikely playoff berth of the Blazers.

While Stotts might win Coach of the Year, it is tough to question the coaching greatness of Doc Rivers. Rivers may have his qualms at times as a general manager, but his coaching ability is unquestioned, as he takes his given roster to the playoffs year after year. Plus, he has an NBA championship to his name with the 2008 Boston Celtics, a feat that Stotts has yet to accomplish as a head coach.

Advantage: Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Will Win If….

Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan play to their full abilities in the paint.

Portland Will Win If…

They find a way to contain DeAndre Jordan on the boards for a full series.

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Prediction:

Los Angeles Clippers defeat Portland Trail Blazers 4-3.