Clippers play the Spurs tonight for the first time this season. The Spurs have a bad record so far, they’ve had 14 home games and only 6 road games and yet their record is only 11-9… Sounds likes an easy win right?

Wrong.

Don’t underestimate the Spurs. Although you probably know them for their boring style of play, and starting seasons out slow and dominating the end and performing well in the playoffs, the Spurs are always a tough team to put away. Greg Poppovich is one of the best coaches in the NBA, and the team’s mindset defensively is solid. Although guys like Parker, Ginobili, and Jefferson aren’t known as good man to man defenders, their rotations are nearly perfect and makes up for it.

The Clippers have played well- dare I say even better- against good teams so far this season (save for the Orlando game on Tuesday), and seem to lack the heart and determination to dominate the lesser teams. They seem to play up to the good opponents, and play down to the ones with bad records. The difference is huge- when Clippers actually want to play, they look like a whole different team. So which Clipper team are we going to see tonight?

Baron Davis vs Tony Parker- This is going to be a good matchup. In recent games Baron looks quicker- but I don’t think it will be quick enough to stop Tony Parker from wreaking havoc in the lane. But is Parker strong enough to handle Baron? Look for the signature post up plays tonight for Baron to exploit this matchup. Usually Dunleavy likes to put Baron at the mid-range wing area and isolate him against smaller point guards, have him post up and do what the defense gives him. If the double comes, Baron knows how to pass out of it. If it doesn’t- well then Baron needs to be on his game and score all over the opposing PG.

Eric Gordon vs Keith Bogans- I like this matchup. Although Bogans is a scrappy defender, Gordon will run circles around him. Gordon is a combination of quick and strong that Bogans will not be able to handle. If Bogans backs off, EJ will have to deliver from beyond the arc. This is EJ’s 3rd game back from his injury, and though he looked better vs Orlando, he was still a little bit off his normal game and didn’t get the playing time that he’s accustomed to. This game should be a good gauge of where his injury recovery progress is so far.

Al Thornton vs Richard Jefferson- This is a good offensive matchup. Both AT and Jefferson will have their way with scoring- though Thornton is a slightly better on ball defender, Jefferson has more ways to score, and can get hot from outside. Al needs to get Richard Jefferson into foul trouble by attacking the rim.

Marcus Camby vs Antonio McDyess- Camby will have no trouble guarding McDyess, but needs to keep him off the boards. McDyess probably won’t have any trouble guarding Camby either, as he’s not one of the main scorers in our offense. But if Kaman’s having a good night- McDyess might leave Camby to double Kaman. If that happens, Camby will get a few open midrange shots.

Chris Kaman vs Tim Duncan- Here’s the tough one. Any time you see Tim Duncan on the other end of the matchup, you know you’re in trouble. But if Kaman got used to guarding Dwight Howard, Duncan might be an easier cover. Not as explosive and powerful as Howard, Duncan relies on his combination of finesse and power, and with the high basketball IQ he has he knows exactly when to use them. Good footwork and post moves also make Duncan a tough cover for any Center/Power forward.

The Clippers can fast break all night if they can dig in defensively and rebound. Rebounding is VERY important for fast breaking. If the Spurs miss, and Al Thornton starts running down the court only to see that the Spurs got an offensive rebound, who’s going to be guarding Richard Jefferson? Until Al runs back down, they’ll be playing with an advantage. That’s why the Clippers need to play good defense and rebound, because if they fast break this game, it will be a major advantage. The Spurs are the most comfortable in slow, half court situations.