It is MLK Day and we’ve got NBA basketball. The Chicago Bulls take on the Los Angeles Clippers inside of Intuit Dome during its inaugural season. The NBA honours Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s memory on this day and this will the 39th year. Big slate on a special Monday. Let’s talk hoops, baby.
Game Information
- Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA
- Chicago Bulls (18-25) visit the Los Angeles Clippers (24-17)
- Previous Matchup: March 14th, 2024 126-111 Clippers win on the road
Only five games back and ‘The Klaw’ has shown flashes of his peak self.
Chicago Bulls @ Los Angeles Clippers
Zach Lavine and company have cooled off. After an insane scoring stretch Lavine has returned to earth possibly because of dealing with a knee Injury. Pesky Portland was able to contribute to their troubles. The Bulls lost to Trail Blazers last night extending their losing streak to five games. Opponents have adjusted to their pace and found ways to beat their very weak defence. Billy Donavon will likely have to adjust their style of play if they want to continue to compete for the playoffs.
The Clippers have been rock solid. James Harden and Ty Lue have chiseled this team into a threat every night. Harden’s playoff streak likely won’t end this season. This has come largely without Kawhi Leonard, who himself has returned, and looked good — in very limited minutes. They probably can’t climb the mountain and raise a banner but don’t tell them that. Coach Lue commands a team that may be flying under the radar but they have a hardhat miner’s mentality.
These are two teams passing by each other in many terms. There are several memes that would be appropriate explaining the trajectory of the Windy City and the new pride of Inglewood.
“You got to want it.”
Zach LaVine on their 5-game losing streak. pic.twitter.com/MJUZW0d5at
— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) January 20, 2025
NBA Game Analysis
The Bulls’ losing streak has become extended. It is likely they continue this downward trend here, some of their biggest contributors are being sought for trades, it is hard to correct locker room morale — especially with competing interests and the looming possibility of a influx of changes. The Bulls only avenue to victory is for the UCLA product to go nuclear in a narrative play considering geography. For a Chicago win; there would need to be a considerable amount of complacency from the Clippers, as well as an over performance from several Bulls, including the aforementioned Lavine.
The Clippers are at home facing a team that played on the road in the Pacific Northwest last night before traveling. They handled business versus their older brother last night and their opponents suffering a crushing loss. Furthermore, Chicago is 9-19 in their last 28 playing against top ten scoring defences. This is the Clippers game to lose. They can really start to establish the Intuit Dome as a tough place to play if they put together a considerable win streak.
Clippers fans shaving AD’s unibrow 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/2SAR55Yr5X
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) January 20, 2025
This Clippers team boasts a staunch defence that holds teams to only 106.5 points per game. They have an excellent ability to control the glass and protect the paint. This squad has all of the hallmarks of a winning team. The Bulls have caught teams sleeping this season but the Clippers seemingly sleep with one eye open.
Ty Lue on Clippers fans at the Intuit Dome against the Lakers: “It felt like home, from introductions to when they were booing the Lakers… I thought our fans were tremendous, support was there.”
— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) January 20, 2025
Other Insights and Injuries
- Not only is the Clippers’ defence for real, their home court advantage has to be considered, and it a fun story for the association.
- Teams tend to shoot poorer from the free throw line in the Intuit Dome facing their unique fan wall.
- If you like Bulls scorers find midrange magicians as the Clippers defend the three and paint but are 17th in the midrange.
- Nikola Vucevic has failed to exceed 32.5 PRA on the road in 4/5 and faces a tough test in fellow European Ivan Zubac.
- Kawhi Leonard will not play.
Los Angeles Clippers -5.5 (-110)
Here is the leadoff: The Clips are 12-2 against the spread in their last fourteen as the favourite. James Harden has never missed the playoffs in 14 seasons. He’s not missing in his 15th and currently they’re eyeing home court advantage as a top four seed. I’ve doubted James Harden a lot. I am going to stop.
James Harden has never missed the playoffs in his entire career. He currently has the Clippers ranked 5th in the West with a 23-17 record, despite Kawhi Leonard missing most of the season so far. At age 35, he is averaging 21.4 PPG, 8.0 APG, and 5.8 RPG.
One of the greatest… pic.twitter.com/LMAOmgiWBr
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 17, 2025
There is no reason to doubt the Clippers in this spot. Kawhi is being brought along slowly but the rest of this roster has proved they are producing wins with or without the former Raptor and Spur. Both teams are playing back-to-back but the Clippers are at home. This team has never had a true home. Now they do, one with an advantage, and their second superstar is back. The Bulls should continue to reel here. The LA Clippers are the second best scoring defence, they greatly limit second chance points, and they are good at stealing the basketball.
Intuit. Is. Packed. 5:45 PM.
Laker crowd moving in but still a ton of Clipper fans.
The buzz is real for this one 🔥 pic.twitter.com/F2bF79Xjk4
— Grant “Money” Mona (@Gmona48) January 20, 2025
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