Notable games for Clippers in 2013-14

The Times’ Broderick Turner picks out games and trips of interest in the Clippers’ season.

Tuesday at Lakers

Is there a better way for the Clippers to start the season? They did, after all, sweep the season series, 4-0, from the Lakers last season for the first time in franchise history. If the Clippers are to meet the high expectations placed upon them this season, they need to get off to a good start.

Thursday vs. Golden State

The Clippers lost the season series, 3-1, to the Warriors last season and thought Golden State celebrated too much in its victories. The high-scoring, three-point shooting Warriors will test the Clippers’ defense.

Nov. 7 at Miami

When they face the two-time defending NBA champion Heat, it’ll give the Clippers a chance to see how they measure up against the league’s best.

Nov. 13 vs. Oklahoma City

One of the teams in the Western Conference the Clippers will have to get by if they want to represent the West in the NBA Finals.

Nov. 18 vs. Memphis

Memphis knocked the Clippers out of the playoffs last season. Blake Griffin gets to see his nemesis, power forward Zach Randolph. It’s a battle on every possession between the two.

Nov. 24 vs. Chicago

Chris Paul is considered the best point guard in the NBA, but Chicago’s Derrick Rose was at that same level before a knee injury forced the 2011 league most valuable player to sit out last season. Paul and Rose play different styles, but they both are a joy to watch.

Dec. 11 at Boston

Clippers Coach Doc Rivers will make his first return to Boston after leaving the Celtics over the summer because he wanted no part of a rebuilding process. Rivers won an NBA title with Boston in 2008. It’ll be interesting to see how the crowd reacts to Rivers.

Dec. 16 vs. San Antonio

People keep trying to bury the Spurs, but they just seem to stay alive. San Antonio is a smart, efficient team that has given the Clippers trouble.

Jan. 10 vs. Lakers

Will the banner controversy be over by then? Probably not. It just means that the Lakers will get their first look at how their championship banners and retired numbers are being covered up by banners of Clippers players.

Jan. 17-27

The Clippers embark upon their longest trip of the season, a seven-city, 10-day excursion that has become known as the Grammy Trip. Four of the teams they face — New York, Indiana, Chicago and Milwaukee — made the playoffs last season.

March 6 at Lakers

The games between the Clippers and Lakers are always significant. It’s for bragging rights, for who runs the city and the Pacific Division.

April 6 vs. Lakers

The Clippers could be playing to knock the Lakers out of the playoffs. The Lakers could be playing to knock the Clippers down in the Western Conference standings.