This is the Clippers' first game without Blake Griffin, their major inside scoring threat and top offensive focal point. The Clippers are going to go through an adjustment period minus Griffin. There is no guarantee that Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley, who the Clippers received as part of the deal for Griffin, will be able to play in this game. If that's the case, the Clippers will be very much short-handed as they also have a number of injuries.

The Trail Blazers face a rust factor as they've been idle the past three days. Their defense should be better, though, than it has been with fresh legs and added practice time.