San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Clippers: Game 2 Prediction, Keys, Injuries

The San Antonio Spurs will take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night at the Staples Center for game 2 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

The game is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT and will be televised on TNT. The game can also be heard on the radio on WOAI 1200 AM.

Apr 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers guard

(3) during the fourth quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

In game one the Clippers beat the Spurs 107-92. Chris Paul went for 32 points and 7 rebounds. Blake Griffin was also terrific for the Clippers as he finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs with 18 points and 4 steals.

How will the Spurs fare against the Clippers? We take a look at injuries and key factors to predict the outcome of the game!

Injuries

San Antonio Spurs

No significant injuries.

Los Angeles Clippers

No significant injuries.

Keys to Beating Clippers

-Make Free-Throws

For a team that shot 78% from the free-throw line it seems a bit off to list that as a key to a game two win. The main reason is that the Spurs shot 14 of 26 from the free-throw line in game one. If they would’ve simply made a few more free-throws the game would’ve been in reach for the Spurs potentially.

-Cut Down on Three-Point Attempts

The Spurs are without question one of the better three-point shooting teams in the league, but shooting 33 threes is absurd if you’re not hot. The Spurs did make 10, but that is expected when shooting north of 30 of them. Danny Green has to find rhythm in game two, as he shot 1-7 in game one. Boris Diaw shouldn’t be taking five triples especially if he doesn’t make one.

-Protect the Paint

The Spurs don’t have a DeAndre Jordan in the paint, but they do have Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter who should limit the oppositions points in the paint. In game one the Clippers had 46 points in the paint, with Griffin having a good chunk of them.

Prediction

The Spurs won’t let Blake Griffin and Chris Paul both explode for 58 points combined like they did in game one. The key will be that the Spurs will shoot much higher than the 37% from the field they shot in game one.

Next: Spurs: First Round Draft Prospects to Look At