Tonight, the Los Angeles Clippers and Indiana Pacers go head to head. Prior to today, this looked like a pretty good matchup where the Clippers would try to beat a talented Pacers unit, while Indiana would attempt to get back on track against Los Angeles. Instead, we have the added storyline of Blake Griffin's incident. For all of the info for the game including the live stream link, TV schedule, betting line, a preview, update on Griffin and prediction, read on.
Game Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Channel: FSI or PRIME TICKET
Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Ind.
Live Stream: NBA League Pass ($6.99 for individual game)
Free Live Stream: Stream2U
Betting Line: -1 IND; 207 O/U
As most of us have heard by now, star power forward Griffin was in an altercation some time in the past 36 hours or so. It was reported by ESPN this morning that he punched an equipment staff member of the team at a Toronto restaurant.
We now know that member to be assistant equipment manager Matias Testi, who's actually a close friend of Griffin, as well as DeAndre Jordan. It's unknown now what caused the argument and ensuing violence, but what we do know, is that Griffin will remain sidelined by a hand fracture sustained from the incident.
Griffin had already missed the last 14 games with a quad injury, but he was getting closer to a return. That doesn't matter now, as he'll be out another 4-6 weeks, and once we know more, there could be a suspension added on top of that.
So how will that affect the Clippers tonight? Honestly, not too much, as he's been gone for a while. But it could be a distraction for the team.
L.A. is 2-3 in the last five games, dropping contests against the Sacramento Kings, Cleveland Cavaliers and Raptors. Other than Griffin, they'll have a full compliment of players tonight as they take on Indiana.
The Pacers will be without Ian Mahinmi in this one, which could pose a serious problem -- they only have the 6-foot-10 Jordan Hill to match up with Jordan. The size advantage for the Clippers may be the deciding factor in this game.
Prediction: Clippers 103, Pacers 94
