Ben Alamar, ESPN Stats & Info 9y

4-point play: Trail Blazers vs. Clippers

Craig Mitchelldyer/USA TODAY Sports

Damian Lillard and Chris Paul face off tonight in Los Angeles.

The 4-Point Play looks at the four analytics-based storylines that will make you smarter when watching Wednesday’s game between the Los Angeles Clippers (second in BPI) and the Portland Trail Blazers (sixth in BPI) at 10:30 ET on ESPN. Our BPI gives the Clippers a 71 percent chance of winning:

1. There is a 24 percent chance that the Clippers and Trail Blazers will face each other in the first round of the playoffs.

2. DeAndre Jordan has a 31 percent defensive-rebounding percentage, and is averaging 2.3 blocks and 3.1 personal fouls per 36 minutes. The only players to have a defensive-rebounding percentage above 30, and average more than two blocks and three fouls per 36 minutes are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dwight Howard, Marcus Camby, Samuel Dalembert, and Chris Kaman.

3. The Trail Blazers do best when Damian Lillard is focused on getting to the rim. In wins Lillard averages 5.7 free throws and 6.7 three point attempts per 36 minutes. In losses, Lillard averages 4.1 free throws and 7.9 three point attempts per 36 minutes.

4. The Trail Blazers are one of only five teams with an offense and defense both at least one point above average. The other four are the Warriors, Rockets, Thunder, and Hawks.

^ Back to Top ^