Los Angeles Clippers – Cleveland Cavaliers: James Harden’s first game
The Clippers host the Cavs at the Intuit Dome in a strange little subplot: both clubs just swapped point guards. James Harden heads to Cleveland in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick to the Clippers. Rare move. Could change the tone of this one.
Los Angeles Clippers: can they cope without Harden? 
Four wins in six shows the Clippers are still climbing the West. They sit 9th now, three games behind the Warriors in 8th. Not ideal, but not fatal with just under 40 games left. For tonight they’ll be missing their new starting point guard Darius Garland — sidelined with a toe injury.
Since December 20 the Clippers have been one of the league’s best sides: 17 wins in 22 games, the best record in that stretch, and the third-best defense at 107.8 points allowed. Their offense was carried by Kawhi Leonard and James Harden — who now lines up for the visitors. This one will feel odd in L.A.; they’ll have to reroute without the guy who ran the show the last two seasons.
INJURY REPORT : Darius Garland (OUT)
Cleveland Cavaliers: will this be James Harden’s debut? 
Cleveland are cooking. Six wins in seven, climbing the East, and a fresh point guard who might suit up against his old team tonight. Kenny Atkinson’s side look a lot like the team that dominated the East in the regular season last year — they finished 64-18, second-best in the league.
Their No.1 weapon is offense. Scoring 119.3 points per game puts them fifth in the NBA. Donovan Mitchell is leading the charge, and Jarrett Allen has been a force — think Shaq-lite lately (40 points, 17 rebounds, 4 blocks on 16/23 in a 130-111 win over the Blazers). Defense is shakier, especially with Evan Mobley out, but at least things are moving the right way.
INJURY REPORT : Evan Mobley (OUT) – Max Strus (OUT)
NBA Pick Los Angeles Clippers vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Cavaliers to score over 111.5 points
Even if the Clippers boast one of the league’s stingiest defenses, Cleveland’s offense is on fire and clearing 112 looks likely — even away from home. The Cavs have coped without Garland at times this season; the Clippers now have to find a lasting solution without Harden, and that won’t happen overnight.
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