The Clippers open a five-game week at 1-2 and ninth, with four of their top players still listed out until Nov. 8. The schedule gives them rest advantages early. The Timberwolves game on Oct. 30 carries the most weight.
The Lakers arrive tired, but Doncic still decides the rematch.
The week opens tonight at Intuit Dome, five days after a 117-125 loss at the Lakers. The Clippers have had two days of rest. The Lakers are playing their second game in two nights, on the road, and are without Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero. Doncic is averaging 36.0 points and 8.3 assists, Reaves 26.5 points, and ESPN's preview leads with Doncic's 41-point night. The matchup to watch is a Lakers offense rated 126.7 against a Clippers defense at 106.5.
Minnesota is the game that matters most.
The Oct. 30 trip to the Timberwolves counts toward the Emirates NBA Cup. It also comes against the team in sixth at 3-1, 1.5 games ahead of Los Angeles. It is the first real measure of whether this roster belongs in the top-six conversation. Oct. 30 is also Rui Hachimura's target date to return from a left quadriceps injury, which would give Tyronn Lue back a forward who has played 31.2 minutes a night. Clipperholics argued that starting Kobe Sanders in Hachimura's place was the right move.
The only stretch without rest comes at the end of the road trip.
After Minnesota, the Clippers play at Golden State on Nov. 1 and come home to face Toronto on Nov. 2, with no day off between. That is the week's real test of depth for a rotation already playing short. Miami closes the week on Nov. 4 after two days off. The Warriors have won 25 percent of their games so far and the Raptors 67 percent. The Heat are still looking for their first win, so the week ends with the most winnable game on the schedule.
Help does not arrive until after this week.
Brandon Ingram, Bradley Beal, Max Strus and Konan Niederhauser all carry Nov. 8 targets, so the Clippers will play all five games without them. Jordan Miller is not expected back before March 2. That leaves the offense with Darius Garland, at 24.0 points and 7.0 assists a game, and Lopez, at 18.0 points on 54.5 percent from three. Lopez is also playing 8 more minutes a night over his last three games. At ninth and level with the Nuggets in tenth, the Clippers have little room for a bad week.
Who do the Clippers play this week?
They host the Lakers on Oct. 28 and play at Minnesota on Oct. 30 and at Golden State on Nov. 1. They then host Toronto on Nov. 2 and Miami on Nov. 4.
When are Ingram and Beal expected back for the Clippers?
Both have a Nov. 8 target date, as do Max Strus and Konan Niederhauser. All four are expected to miss this week's five games.
