Clippers vs Spurs Game 1: Blake Griifin's Knee Injury Means Trouble for LAC

The Los Angeles Clippers would have their hands full with the No. 1 seed San Antonio Spurs, even if they were at 100 percent.

But with Blake Griffin's sprained left knee a big concern, the Clippers could find themselves in an early hole this series.

The good news for the Clippers is that Griffin's knee hasn't got any worse since the Clippers won Game 7 to advance to Round 2 of the playoffs. But the bad news is that the knee will only get better with rest and that's something Los Angeles simply can't afford right now.

According to the Associated Press, Griffin says he will play in Game 1, which is Tuesday night in San Antonio, but Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro didn't sound so optimistic Monday, saying: “I don't know yet. I'll make that decision tomorrow after shootaround, after I talk to the trainer."

Either way, Griffin isn't at 100 percent and that spells trouble for the Clippers, not only in Game 1, but for the series in general.

Almost every sign favors the Spurs in Game 1.

Not only are they the better team, and an impressive 30-5 (including postseason) at home on the year, but the veteran team is well rested, having not played a game in eight days, since sweeping the Utah Jazz.

Not to mention the fact that San Antonio is riding a 14-game win streak which dates back to the regular season.

The Clippers on the other hand don't have the advantage of rest, flying to San Antonio directly after Sunday's Game 7 victory against Memphis.

If the performance of a tired Los Angeles Lakers team against a well-rested Oklahoma City Thunder team on Monday is any indication, then the Clippers could be in a world of trouble.

Especially without a healthy Griffin.

If the second-year pro was completely healthy, they would need consistent efforts that resemble his career numbers of 21.7 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.

The 18.0 points and 6.7 rebounds Griffin averaged in Round 1 simply won't cut it against the Spurs.

The Clippers are not deep enough up front, and if Griffin is ineffective or can't go, it would be asking a lot of Kenyon Martin and Reggie Evans to produce enough for the Clippers to compete. The duo averaged only 6.9 points and 12.8 rebounds in the first round combined.

The Spurs are a much deeper team to begin with and a much better rebounding team, finishing ninth in the NBA during the regular season. As a comparison, the Clippers were 22nd in the NBA with a healthy Griffin pulling down 10.9 boards per game.

San Antonio will feast on the Clippers on the boards if Griffin isn't healthy.

There's also the fact that a healthy Griffin commands double teams in the post. The Spurs won't even considering doubling Martin or Evans.

You have to admire Griffin's effort to attempt to gut it out, but if he's not healthy and producing at a high level, it's hard to imagine Los Angeles having much of a chance.