LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
by ClipperSteve of Clips Nation
Recap Rewind: The Clippers began their final big road trip, a six-game journey to Texas, and points East, losing three out of four. The fact that they played well enough to win in all three losses was small consolation. Yes, it was the some of their best basketball of the season, but the season was looking to be lost with each tough defeat. And then something happened. On Tuesday night in Chicago, the Clippers put together their best game of the season and beat the Bulls (the red-hot Bulls, the battling-for-second-best-record-in-the-East Bulls, the dominant-home-record Bulls, those Bulls) 103-89. It was the first time the Clippers had beaten a healthy, winning team on the road all season. Brand, Mobley and Maggette all scored 20-plus points, while Daniel Ewing scored his 11 in the fourth quarter, and also played solid defense on Kirk Hinrich. A solid team effort all around. The next night in Milwaukee against a Bucks team playing without its starting front line, the Clippers simply dominated for three quarters. They led by as many as 22 in the third, and took a 19 point lead into the final frame. And then the wheels came off. After scoring at will all game (they had 90 points through three), the Clippers lost their focus, and the Bucks started to creep back. When Michael Redd and Charlie Bell starting dropping threes (2 each in the fourth after zero for the Bucks team to that point) suddenly the Clippers needed baskets, and they couldn't get them. The Bucks made up the entire deficit, and even took a three point lead in the final minute. But to their credit, the Clippers dug deep and got the last two buckets and the key stops to win the game. Jason Hart (who three weeks ago had splinters from sitting on Sacramento's pine) got the game winner with 3 seconds to go. Back home in LA on Friday against the Jazz, all the omens were bad. The fourth quarter meltdown in Milwaukee, the mighty Jazz who had beaten the Clippers three times by an average of 17 already on the season - it was entirely possible that the win in Chicago was a fluke, and that the real Clippers would be exposed in this game. Oh man. The Clippers jumped on Jerry Sloan's team from the opening tip, led by 8 after one, 17 at half and 28 after three before winning 104-72. The 32 point margin was their most-lopsided victory of the season. Did I say the Chicago win was LA's best game this year? Well, for three days it was. The Clippers dominated the Jazz in every way imaginable - +11 on the boards, 32 assists, and stifling defense. Even their free throw defense was stellar, forcing the Jazz into 20 misses from the line! (OK, so maybe it wasn't really Utah's finest hour.) Riding a three game win streak and back in the 8th position in the Western Conference, the Clippers then faced Gilbert Arenas and the Wizards the next night. With the Wizards leading by one at halftime, the Clippers scored the first 4 points of the second half and never trailed again on their way to a 111-105 victory. Chris Kaman was the difference - 0 points, 1 rebound and 2 turnovers in the first half; 17 points, 8 rebounds and 0 turnovers in the second half. Meanwhile, Maggette had one of those 'how is that even possible?' stat lines - 29 points on 9 shots!
Notable News: Sam Cassell continues to battle myriad injuries, all interconnected in his 37-year-old body. Trying to play through his abdominal strain, he pulled a groin muscle. Favoring those two injuries caused back spasms. He has played 7 minutes in the last week, yet amazingly the Clippers have won 4 straight in that time. Who would have thought it possible that the Clippers would play their best basketball of the season without their top two point guards? The tough defense, steady leadership and timely baskets of Jason Hart have been a major boost for the team, begging the question, why did Sacramento waive him and help their division rival? The plan for Cassell at this point appears to be to have him in uniform, but try to avoid using him for as long as possible in hopes that he can mend and be effective in the playoffs. Ah yes, the playoffs. The Clippers now hold a 1.5 game lead over the Warriors for the 8th and final spot in the West, and the Warriors remaining schedule (with six of their 11 games against the top 5 teams in the Western Conference) is pretty brutal. The Hornets are two back of the Clippers, with two head-to-head matchups remaining, including the final game of the season - so circle March 10 and March 18 on your Clippers Calendars.
Fast Forward: Riding the four game streak, the Clippers are anxious for their re-match with the Rockets on Wednesday after losing a heart-breaker in the final seconds in Houston earlier this month. With three days off before that game, it's possible Sam's back will be feeling significantly better. The Clippers then head north to play back-to-backs in Sacramento on Friday and in Portland on Saturday. Dare I say that a 7 game win streak and a record above .500 are possiblities by this time next week? The Clippers waited over four month to start playing basketball this season - but if you're going to pick one time of year to be playing your best, March and April would be the right choice.