2016 NBA playoffs preview: Clippers vs. Blazers
Against all odds after losing four of five starters from last season, the Portland Trail Blazers are the fifth seed in the Western Conference, set to take on the 53-28 Los Angeles Clippers. Does the Portland backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum have what it takes to bring down the red-hot Clippers?
(4) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (5) Portland Trail Blazers
Trail Blazers won series 4-2
Game 1 – Clippers 115, Trail Blazers 95
Game 2 - Clippers 102, Trail Blazers 81
Game 3 -Trail Blazers 96, Clippers 88
Game 4 - Trail Blazers 98, Clippers 84
Game 5 - Trail Blazers 108, Clippers 94
Game 6 - Trail Blazers 106, Clippers 103
Season series: Los Angeles won 3-1
Starting lineups: Los Angeles - Chris Paul (19.5 ppg, 10.0 apg), J.J. Redick (16.3 ppg, 1.4 apg), Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (3.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg), Blake Griffin (21.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg), DeAndre Jordan (12.7 ppg, 13.8 rpg). Portland - Damian Lillard (25.1 ppg, 6.9 apg), C.J. McCollum (20.9 ppg, 4.3 apg), Maurice Harkless (6.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg), Al-Farouq Aminu (10.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg), Mason Plumlee (9.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg)
Damian Lillard: The mastermind behind the Trail Blazers' success story
Los Angeles wins if - They carry the momentum from the end of the season (9-1 in last 10 games) and Blake Griffin returns to his old self.
Portland wins if - They play an aggresive brand of basketball and don't let the lack of postseason experience on their roster get in the way.
Need to know
Los Angeles - This is their fifth straight postseason appearance.
Portland - They rank third in points per game since the All-Star break.
Sam Amick's pick: Clippers in 6; Jeff Zillgitt's pick: Clippers in 6
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