Kings 110 - Clippers 98

by Steve Perrin on Apr 3, 2008 10:56 PM PDT in News

At the moment Ron Artest stole Quinton Ross' ill-advised pass - turning a Clippers' 3 on 1 break into a Spencer Hawes' dunk - this game turned. As Mike Smith has told us many, many times, momentum is real. Instead of a 5 point Clippers' lead, the Kings cut the lead to 1. More importantly, the steal and the resulting dunk energized the Kings and the crowd. The dunk began a 10 run to close the first half. And the momentum carried over to the second half, which the Kings opened with a 15-4 run. That's a 25-4 run in a game that finished in a 12 point Kings win. Not much more to talk about.

I mentioned in the Preview that Kevin Martin would eventually break out and have a big game against the Clippers - well, it happened. He scored 26 points in only 29 minutes. He was instrumental in the 25-4 run making consecutive threes to close the first half, including a buzzer barely beater that the Clippers never should have given him. He finished 4 for 5 on threes, including one 29 footer, just to prove a point I guess.

Elton Brand played well in his second game back (15 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in 27 minutes), but you mustn't forget that the Clippers are still missing three starters (Kaman, Mobley and Livingston) and a key reserve (Thomas). Maggette had a strong scoring game with 28 (but he also had 6 turnovers); Nick Fazekas continued his strong play with a career high 18; but with Al Thornton having one of his periodic ice cold nights (3-14), the Clippers just didn't have enough.

Now it's back to LA, and Elton's home debut against the Rockets. There are still a few things to look forward to this season.

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I am glad

to hear Fazek the Freak is making the most of his time! Gotta hit those mammals tomorrow and I should be home to catch the EB debut against the Rockets!

by Lawler's Law on Apr 3, 2008 11:27 PM PDT reply actions

Fazekas Fever

18 points for the long lean youngin, and unless I'm mistaken, still no sign of the perimeter shot. Very soft touch around the basket. He can be comically slow at times, but he rebounds and is fun to watch.

Didn't the run start when Smush was brought in? Of course it continued with QRoss playing in the 3rd, and Smush did participate in a mini-comeback. Bad night for Thornton, so why not reduce his minutes a bit? Would have liked to see a lot more Marcus Williams and less Smush.

The Clips should be looking to see if Williams can show some QRoss defensive tenacity, to go along with a better offensive game. Even with Thornton, Maggette, and Mobley, they can use a guy like that.

Thinking about it, this year has been pretty disastrous for QRoss. He has cost himself a lot of money. He had an opportunity to hit open shots and score a few points on a bad, depleted team that could use points wherever they could find them. Instead of stepping up a notch or two on offense, he probably went down one--at least. And that vaunted defense doesn't look so good either, since the team has been bad and he hasn't had a significant number of notable shut down defensive efforts. We all know Dunleavy still likes him, but it's questionable how highly regarded he is in the rest of the league. So it's about money, including what it would cost the Clippers to resign him.

It would be good to get a thorough evaluation of Williams, like we have with Powell and are beginning to get with Fazekas.

by citizen zhiv on Apr 4, 2008 10:39 AM PDT reply actions

Looks like...

Fazekas is making the best of his opportunity with the Clips. He most definitely will be on the Clippers summer league team, and invited to training camp. Hell, he might even get a contract once this season ends! I am sure he would come cheap, and there really is no risk for the Clips.

I would like to see the Williams kid a little more too. Not sure there are enough games left for him to make the same kind of impact that the Faz-man has. Time will tell.

I agree with your assessment on QRoss as well...the silver lining may be that he is now cheaper to re-sign, and no one else may be interested. Next year, he could then return to the more comfortable role of coming off the bench and playing some hard-nosed defense, and not worrying about offense. This could work out well for the Clips.

BINGOOOOO!!!

by Clip Show on Apr 4, 2008 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions

At this point

I'd love to see him sign with the Suns.

For a variety of reasons.

by John R on Apr 4, 2008 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Fazekas reminds me of McHale

except he has yet to trade KG

by mp on Apr 4, 2008 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions

i feel bad for Q

if you look at the break, he's running down the court 3 on 1, the 1 being ron artest. artest is at an angle facing the clipper on the left wing, if Q passes to his left artest is in position to block the shot take a charge etc. it looks like he would not be able to recover on a pass to the right wing and Q knows artest is to big to be dunked on so he passes to the right. Artest being a great defender anticipates the pass, jumps the passing lane and the rest of the game is history. it wasn't a bad pass or a bad idea it was just great defense on a player who doesn't normally run the break.

by cabezadeknuckle on Apr 6, 2008 5:24 PM PDT reply actions