Deandre Ayton and the Portland Trail Blazers will be playing against Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. As some NBA fans might be aware, Ayton is one of the recent additions made by the Blazers this offseason in the three-team deal that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.
After losing Lillard and starting the process of rebuilding around Ayton and their other young talent, the Blazers currently hold a record of 6 wins and 15 losses, giving them the second-last position in the Western Conference behind the San Antonio Spurs.
In comparison to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Los Angeles Clippers have started the season much better. Perhaps that should be expected given the amount of star talent and experience on the team. The Clippers have a record of 11 wins and 10 losses.
As the Blazers and Clippers get ready to face off, the basketball community might want to know more details surrounding this matchup such as the injury reports and expected starting lineups. That will also help in the formation of a prediction for this game.
Deandre Ayton is questionable for the Portland Trail Blazers vs Los Angeles Clippers game tonight
Ayton’s departure from the Phoenix Suns was predicted a long time before his trade actually materialized. Despite being quite talented and skilled, Deandre appeared to lack a motor and drive during pivotal stretches of high-stakes games.
Portland Trail Blazers injury report
- Robert Williams III (out)
- Jerami Grant (out)
- Ish Wainright (out)
- Malcolm Brogdon (questionable)
- Deandre Ayton (questionable)
Portland Trail Blazers expected starting lineup
- Shaedon Sharpe
- Anfernee Simmons
- Mattise Thybulle
- Toumani Camara
- Duop Reath
Los Angeles Clippers injury report
- Mason Plumlee (out)
- Moussa Diabate (out)
- Joshua Primo (questionable)
Los Angeles Clippers expected starting lineup
- James Harden
- Terance Mann
- Kawhi Leonard
- Paul George
- Ivica Zubac
As we can tell from the lengthy injury report, the Portland Trail Blazers have far more compromised players on their roster when compared to the Clippers. Nonetheless, here are the predictions for this game.
The Clippers are favored over the Blazers tonight
This is quite an easy prediction to make. The Portland Trail Blazers are going to be missing one of their best and most experienced players in Jerami Grant. Moreover, Deandre Ayton also looks unlikely to play. The Clippers have finally found some momentum after defeating the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz. They are expected to carry it on against the Blazers.