Warriors 108 - Clippers 93

by Steve Perrin on Jan 15, 2007 4:12 PM PST in News

For the second time in as many days, the Clippers were badly outplayed in the fourth quarter and lost a game they badly needed to win. Consequently, they've started 0-2 on a series of nine games that is clearly their easiest stretch of the season. This team has underperformed all year, and has looked like a team headed for the lottery a few times, but never more so than right now.

My dear friends, NBA games are won and lost in the fourth quarter. Good teams play just hard enough to stay close through three, and then win in the fourth. But the Clippers were outscored 27-14 in this one. This is all the more distressing considering that the Warriors are the single worst defensive team in the NBA. That's right, 14 fourth quarter points against the worst defense in the league. You simply don't deserve to win if you do that.

It just gets worse. The Clippers actually scored the first 4 points of the quarter to take a two point lead, and then scored 4 meaningless points at the end. In between, they were outscored 25 to 6. Leading scorer Elton Brand scored 0 points in the quarter, took one shot, and had (by my count) two touches on the offensive end. The Warriors played a 2-3 zone with 3 guys leaning toward EB, betting the Clippers couldn't score from the corners; they won their bet.

Overall, the Clippers committed 19 turnovers and were outscored in the paint 54-30. They gave up 20 offensive rebounds. To the Warriors.

Tim Thomas was inactive for the game, though I have not heard a reason given. Shaun Livingston (who was actually very agressive on offense in the second quarter) left the game with a sprained ankle.

I thought the Toronto game was the low point of the season. Then came the Dallas game. Then came the Atlanta game. And now the fourth quarter of this game. It's like the Clippers have found a dial that goes to minus 11.

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I thought Livingston got benched

he should have.

He was missing his shots, and getting burned by Baron Davis.

The Kid is struggling. He is in over his head right now.

by mp on Jan 15, 2007 4:38 PM PST reply actions

I think you were seeing what you wanted to see...

Shaun was 5 for 11 in the game, and 5 for 7 in the second quarter before he tweaked the ankle. He tried to go in the second half, but it tightened up on him and they pulled him with about 7 minutes left in the quarter.

He's been a disaster the last few games (basically since Sam got back, hmmm) but he looked as good in the second as he has all year.

His absence was crucial early in the fourth. Ewing was only in the game for a couple minutes, but he got a shot blocked that led to a fast break, then he got picked clean by Baron. Those two plays ignited the Warriors fourth quarter run. I'm not blaming Ewing... the Clippers all contributed to the 4th Quarter debacle, but Ewing definitely got the ball rolling.

by Steve Perrin on Jan 15, 2007 4:52 PM PST reply actions

I missed most of the first half

when I came in, Livingston was missing his shots.

At one point, he turned the ball over to Baron Davis, then fouled Davis on the shot for an And1.

Livingston is being outplayed on both ends of the floor right now.

I want to see Shaun Livingston turn into an All-Star player, but each game he seems to lose confidence.

I can't tell which direction he is going.

His assist numbers are up, which is encouraging.

by mp on Jan 15, 2007 7:06 PM PST up reply actions

I have...

Davis at 10 pts when Shaun leaves in the 3rd...which is precisely Shaun's gross output, though Shaun was typically much more efficient. If you take off shot attempts for offensive rebounds grabbed, Shaun comes out decent, PG vs PG. That said, I am at work, so I haven't yet witnessed the destruction first hand. And I will probably delete it instead and enjoy Griz/Suns.

I'd also disagree with him being a disaster in the Cleveland game. The Cavalier runs generally match up with his stints on the bench. http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/gameflow.cgi?date=20070113&game=CLELAC&rl=20 I can't make this stuff up. He isn't a monster offensively so if you are looking for traditional stats I will never convince, but the net results are right there. He leaves in the second, 15-9 run for Cavs to close. He leaves in the 3rd, 15-5 run for Cavs to close. He posted a -4, far outperforming the team. Same in Minny. The Clippers had to play catch up because the shooters couldn't hit anything in the first.

TT was out with an ear infection according to ESPN.com.

by John R on Jan 15, 2007 5:20 PM PST reply actions

Suns Grizz

quite the defensive struggle

by mp on Jan 15, 2007 7:13 PM PST up reply actions

Disaster...

... on offense. 8 for 34 without a game in double-figures in his last 4 before today. Shaun does a LOT of good things on the basketball court, but if he can't score, his ceiling changes from Scottie Pippen to Eric Snow.

Thomas has now missed time this year with a toothache and an ear infection. Is he a 3-year-old?

by Steve Perrin on Jan 15, 2007 5:59 PM PST reply actions

Classic

If your bloggership ever gets you acess to ask that question of anyone quotable, it must be asked.

by John R on Jan 15, 2007 9:45 PM PST reply actions

what to do now?

who's going to save this team now?

by laclipperfan42 on Jan 16, 2007 1:05 AM PST reply actions

That's a Good Question...

I wish I knew

by Steve Perrin on Jan 16, 2007 8:55 AM PST up reply actions

Sick to my stomach

My father-in-law, Ted, who really wasn't much of an NBA fan before he met me, attended a few Clips games with my wife and me this season. He's really coming around on the NBA. In fact, he's actually gone onto eBay and bought us tickets for more Clips games in the future.

His brother, a passionate Laker fan, would have none of that, and so he took Ted to a couple Laker games this year as well. In fact, last night, he was at the Laker-Heat game. So last night, I had the following exchange with him over the phone.

"Hey, Ted, how was the game?"

"Great, Lakers won in overtime. In fact, they've won every game I've attended."

"Great! Glad you had a good time."

"Come to think of it, the Clippers have lost every game I've attended. You know what I've noticed? The Lakers, in the fourth quarter, seem to, you know, play good."

"Ted, it's called excecuting down the stretch. Yeah, the Clippers don't do that. I have to go."

So yeah, my attempt to win over my new father-in-law to the Clips isn't going very well. He still tries to be diplomatic about it, and root for each team equally, but I know that on the inside he's all purple and gold.

Thanks alot, Clips. Well done.

by Todd Lerner @ Clips Nation on Jan 16, 2007 9:36 AM PST reply actions

At least...

It seems that Ted is a Laker fan for the RIGHT reasons.... Not because it's cool, not because of what's hanging in the rafters. But because they are playing good basketball this season. Good for him.

Phil Jackson has made a believer out of me. If Kobe Bryant weren't on that team, I might actually root for them. Ah, who am I kidding? Of course I wouldn't root for them. But Ted can.

by Steve Perrin on Jan 16, 2007 9:47 AM PST up reply actions