The Los Angeles Clippers are trying to keep pace in the Western Conference as the team has gone 7-3 in their past 10 games. Much of that is due to successful shooting from Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, but DeAndre Jordan appears to be the forgotten man. The center is currently shooting 72.1 percent from the field while leading the NBA with 13.4 rebounds per game as the team prepares to face off against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night.
The Clippers would be struggling right now if it was not for Jordan who is also putting up 2.4 blocks per game along with his points and rebounds. Over the past four games, the center has gone 26 of 31 from the field while putting up 15.8 points. In Monday's win over Boston, he added 19 points and 12 boards with six blocks. However, Jordan continues to see his name come up in trade rumors for the Clippers as they aim to make one deal before the deadline approaches.
The Clippers are preparing to take on the Brooklyn Nets at home where they have been giving up just 98.9 points per game. They have taken three straight from the Eastern Conference team, but the Nets have a little moment after beating the Sacramento Kings where Brook Lopez had 22 points and six blocks off the bench. Lopez is similar to Jordan in that he is also facing trade rumors. The center is likely going to opt out of his current contract as the Nets aim to get something in return for him. However, his injury history has hurt any potential deals for Brooklyn. Over the past three games, the center is averaging 21. 0 points while putting up 21.4 in his last seven games against the Clippers.
The matchup also marks another reunion for Kevin Garnett and his former head coach Doc Rivers. The matchup is slightly less marquee after the departure of Paul Pierce, but Garnett and Rivers are sure to make things interesting. The Nets are also preparing to play without Deron Williams one again who is out with a rib injury.
