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Will Kevin Durant Play Tonight? Brooklyn Nets vs LA Clippers: Injury Update, Lineups, & Prediction

Published 02/21/2021, 12:00 PM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

Brooklyn Nets are ready to face a tough Western Conference challenge in LA Clippers. The Nets are on a five-game win streak while the Clippers are high on confidence after beating the league topper Utah Jazz in their last game. 

This will also be a chance for the Clippers to level their score against the Nets after taking a 120-124 defeat earlier this month. Both teams are loaded with All-stars and are just a couple of wins away from climbing to the top of the table.

Which side is more equipped to establish a victory?

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Brooklyn Nets vs LA Clippers: Injuries and lineup prediction

USA Today via Reuters

The news for the Nets is not very good, as they’re again going to play without Kevin Durant. KD will sit out because of the hamstring issue that has been bothering him for quite a while.

Also, 15-game old power forward Nicolas Claxton (knee) is questionable and still looking for his season debut. Lastly, shooting guard Tyler Johnson (left adductor tightness) is another day-to-day decision.

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Probable lineup – Joe Harris (SF), Bruce Brown Jr (PF), Jeff Green (C), James Harden (PG), and Kyrie Irving (SG)

The Clippers can take a sigh of relief with only center Daniel Oturu listed out against the Nets.

Probable lineup – Kawhi Leonard (SF), Nicolas Batum (PF), Serge Ibaka (C), Patrick Beverley (PG), and Paul George (SG)

Who wins?

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After playing under restricted minutes when he last did, Kevin Durant will miss his fourth consecutive game. This will bother the Nets because the last time they met the Clippers, the Big Three combined 90 points in which KD contributed 28 and also helped defensively.

However, the steep rise of Joe Harris as a prolific shooter will help their cause to some extent. 

The Clippers, on the other hand, have some lethal weapons off the bench as led by Lou Williams. Marcus Morris has the capability to tickle the scoreboard while Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Patrick Beverley deal with the offense. Center Serge Ibaka has also been good from both ends, and this is certainly a matching roster against the big Nets.

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It will be a key for the Clippers if they can pick halftime lead and then use great defense work. We predict the Clippers winning the game in a very closely contested match.

WATCH: Nets’ Kyrie Irving Leaves LeBron James in Confusion with Incredible Spin Move

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Written by:

Sourabh Singh

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Sourabh Singh is an NBA sports analyst for EssentiallySports, who has been working with the site since May 2020. Prior to this, he functioned as Managing Editor at WittyFeed, followed by a stint at Decathlon. The Sports Management graduate leads an active lifestyle, veering to the mountains for off-trail adventures.
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