It's reunion time when the Los Angeles Clippers take on the visitors the Boston Celtics. Though, a lot has happened since the last time Clippers coach Doc Rivers faced his old ball club more than a year ago. Gone are, among others, the only player who was left from his championship team in 2008, Rajon Rondo, and Jeff Green.
Two new players might suit up for the Celtics this afternoon, Tayshaun Prince and Shavlik Randolph, who joined the team and had their first practice yesterday in Santa Monica.
Prince, along with Austin Rivers who played for the New Orleans Pelicans, was acquired in last week's three team trade that sent Green to the Memphis Grizzlies. And then Randolph was acquired from the Phoenix Suns a few days later, when the Celtics, in another three-team trade, sent Austin Rivers to his father's team, the Clippers. Austin Rivers never actually made it to Boston after he was traded there, so no reunion for him.
It's a bit of an ironic twist that Randolph actually has played for Doc Rivers when he was with the Celtics for 16 games in 2013. His stint with Boston might actually be longer this time. The only other three players who have played for Doc Rivers in Boston are Avery Bradley, Brandon Bass, and Jared Sullinger.
For the Celtics, this game is the start of what is probably the toughest stretch of the season, a six game West coast road trip against the Clippers, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Golden State Warriors, the Denver Nuggets, the Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The trip includes two back-to-back games.
For the Clippers, this is a must-win-game to keep pace with the top of the Western conference. A division title seems most unlikely with the Golden State Warriors five games ahead in the win column, but they can still earn home court advantage at least for the first round of the playoffs. And they can't afford to slow down with a team like the Oklahoma City Thunder chasing a playoff spot from behind.
The Clippers won the two games between the teams last season and is the clear favorite to take this one, too. The Celtics have a couple of hard fought losses behind them from last week, and they are not going to just lie down, but they will have trouble matching especially the inside power of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.
The Celtics might have one advantage; with a slight broader bench, they might take advantage of one of the Clippers’ few real weaknesses. Though, it shouldn't be enough to do more than put up a decent fight against a team that considers itself a title contender.