Clippers (3-6) vs Toronto Raptors (4-4)
Gameday Haiku
Bargnani shooting,
Chris Bosh throwing down monstrous
dunks; oh me on my.
First Look
Raptors are starting its long west coast road trip tonight at Los Angeles.
From what I have seen, the Raptors are the best 2nd tier team behind the East's big 3. Their record does not reflect this, just 4-4, with some tough losses. Without Eric Gordon, the Clippers are really in disarray at the wing positions. Butler/Thornton combo is simply too weak against other NBA starting combos. The Clippers catch a break today with the Raptors starting Demar DeRozan who is not of NBA starter quality yet.
- Clipper bigs will be lost.
Bargnani is taking five 3s a game while making close to half of them. Bosh will also be shooting an array of midrange/outside jumpers. Kaman and Camby simply won't be able to defend them on the perimeter. Hopefully Kaman will be able to muscle up Bargnani inside. - Jose Calderon
He is not having the kind of statistically driven season that we are used to seeing the past two years. He has uncharacteristically missed a few free throws and is shooting far below career norm from the field. His assists numbers are also down due to Hedo Turkoglu's influence. Having Hedo means taking the ball out of Calderon's hand. This has brought his average from nine assists per game to six. He is reduced to spot up duty on many possessions. Jarrett Jack signing the full mid-level exception with the Raptors also mean Calderon's playing time is reduced. - Baron Davis
For the Clippers to have any chance of winning, we need a big game from Bdiddy that we really haven't seen since his addition to the team. Davis has played fine so far and looked to be enjoying his job. Let's hope he can step up to night and be the star he once was.
Clippers (3-5) vs Oklahoma City (3-4)
Gameday Haiku
Hornets buzz by us
Here comes Durant with Thunder
I sense hopelessness
First Look
Oklahoma City is a top defensive so far this season. They even held the Kings to 101 at Sacramento last night. Without Eric Gordon, Clippers really don't have much firepower against the Thunder. Kaman should have a bounce back game against inferior defenders but Butler and Thornton won't get many opportunities against OKC's athletic perimeter players. The Clippers are unlikely to regain their hot shooting start and with Butler at SG, Coach Dunleavy will look to lower the attack pace.
So look for a low scoring game tonight in the 80s.
He hadn't shot well so far this season, but he went for 37 points, 18-18 at the strip last night. He averaged 28points against us last year in four games.
He is still averaging a ton of turnovers after leading the league in this category last year. Currently at 55assist:32turnovers. His field goal percentage is up but he is still not much of a long range gunner, at 31%.
Clippers (3-4) vs New Orleans Hornets (2-5)
Gameday Haiku
Almighty Chris Paul
dropping dimes to David West;
May I plead ’Mercy?"
First Look
I hate to be pessimistic but Clippers will have trouble without Eric Gordon. Baron will have plenty of trouble with CP3, everyone does; Thornton starting and playing 40+ means is very unappealing. David West had two mediocre games in a row so I will watch out for him to make it up tonight. Plus he has the ability to draw Camby away from protecting the rim.
Chris Paul is Godlike
He is averaging 27 points a game this season but he is just not getting the support from his teammates. He is also not getting the amount of steals we are used to seeing. Not sure what is wrong there.- Outstanding Okafor
He's been quietly averaging 12p/11r/2b over 7 games. This is a major upgrade from Tyson Chandler which makes it strange that the Hornets are playing so poorly. He is a premier low post defender with the size to bother Kaman.
Preview: Clipsnation | At The Hive
Memphis Grizzlies 100(1-6) @ Clippers 103(3-4)
Gameday Haiku
Grizzlies in da house,
Give me Mayo on EJ.
Let us win three straight.
Post Game Notes
The Clippers came out flat and Gay lit them up. Rasual Butler got the start again while Kaman continue his early season tear. The Grizzlies handed the game over in the fourth quarter by repeated making silly fouls leading to freebie free throws. Butler, Baron and Kaman all missed some free throws in the end giving Gay a last second shot attempt to tie the game. Definitely need a better performance at home for any playoff chances.
- It seems like Baron is happy this year. Smiling and joking after assists and passes leading to shooting fouls. This bodes well for our playoff chances.
- Rudy Gay shot the lights out in the first half; he also shot the Grizzlies out of the game in the fourth quarter. How do you think Mayo feels about Gay taking 20 shots to his 12?
- Craig Smith is a beast. He is good for the Clippers's moral and just overall hustle and effort. He is certainly a player that can be part of a team to turn this miserable franchise around. 18 points including his first career three and 5 rebounds in 22 minutes.
- Rasual Butler needs to shoot better. He bricked quite a few open threes in the fourth. 6-17 is bad no matter how you slice it.
First Look
I have a hunch that Clippers will be Clippers tonight. That means somehow wasting all the momentum from the last 2 wins. Please prove me wrong!
Things to watch for:
Chris Kaman vs Marc Gasol
Neither will be able to stop the other from scoring. Kaman's length should bother Gasol just a little that he won't get over 20 points. I think Kaman will continue his midrange hot stroke to start the season so look for him to win this match-up.
Rebounding
Clippers is a fairly weak rebounding team, especially on the offensive side. While Memphis is the best team in this category and pulls down 15.2 offensive rebounds per game. If Kaman and/or Camby gets in foul trouble, yikes.
Zach Randolph
He will be a handful tonight. Camby simply doesn't have the weight and will be pushed. Z-bo will also step out for a jumper whereas rendering Camby ineffective.
Allen Iverson
He won't be playing tonight, or anytime soon.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4633226
Other Previews: Clipsnation | Straight Outta Vancouver
Clippers @ Golden State
Tonight
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-clippers-fyi5-2009nov05,0,4524341.story
Too Clipping Close for Comfort(11/2 Minnesota @ Clippers)
Game Previews:
Clipsnation | Canis Hoopus
Clippers 93 - Minnesota 90
Popular Posts
- Blake Griffin vs. Michael Beasley
- ABCD - Always Bad Clippers Disorder v. John Lucas
- Blake Griffin - Las Vegas Summer League 2009 Highlights
- Gradebook: 22 most influential off-sesason moves(Part 4 of 4)
- 7'3" Keith Closs gets a beatdown!
Clippers Central
Datahead
Recent Posts
- Heavy Dose on the House 11/30/09
- Fire Mike Dunleavy Petition
- Heavy Doose on the House 11/15/09
- Heavy Dose on the House 11/13/09
- Clippers (3-6) vs Toronto Raptors (4-4)
Categories
- Fantasy Flyer
- Game Notes
- Globetrotter
- Gradebook
- Heavy Dose on the House
- Player Analysis
- Transaction Center
- Uncategorized
- Useless Rant
- Video