The Los Angeles Clippers have been playing well of late, but face a team playing even better as they host LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and the Miami Heat at Staples Center. Both teams had terrible starts to their seasons and have rebounded, but it is a matter of degree which separates the two. The Clippers have won seven of their last 10 games, including two straight, while the Miami Heat have a nine-game winning streak, and have won 21 of their last 22 games after an underwhelming 9-8 start.
The Clippers have played relatively well at home this season, with a 9-13 record, and have vanquished Oklahoma City, New Orleans, San Antonio, and Denver at Staples Center. However, the Heat have been on fire in their road uniforms of late, and have won 13 straight games away from home. The Heat franchise record for consecutive road wins is 14, set in 1996-1997, which is two off the NBA record, set by the 1971-1972 Lakers.
Speaking of streaks, the Blake Griffin show goes on. Griffin, who leads the NBA with 85 dunks this season, has a franchise-record 23 straight double-doubles. In addition, Griffin has 12 straight games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, the longest streak in the NBA since 2001. During those 12 games, Griffin is averaging 25.3 points and 14.5 rebounds.
Tonight's game features four players quite adept at getting to the free throw line:
| NBA Free Throw Attempt Leaders | ||
| Player | FTA | Rank |
| LeBron James | 342 | 2nd |
| Dewyane Wade | 337 | 3rd |
| Blake Griffin |
304 | 5th |
| Eric Gordon | 257 | 11th |
Eric Gordon, who is averaging a career-high 23.5 points per game this season, has scored 53 points in his last two games, making seven of 15 three-pointers. LeBron James scored a season-high 44 points in Miami's last game, a 107-100 overtime win in Portland. Miami's last two games have been overtime victories. The Heat have won 11 straight games against the Pacific Division, including 6-0 this season.
For more information on this game, be sure to read Clips Nation.