The Back Story:
- First meeting of the season. The teams split the season series last year, each winning at home. The loss in New Jersey was probably the lowest point of a Clippers season that had a lot of low points.
The second half thread will publish at 8:45.
Pre Game Notes:
Vinny Del Negro says he's starting Bledsoe, Gordon, Aminu, Griffin and Jordan - all five would still be in college if they had played four years - a sophomore, a junior and three seniors (or maybe two seniors and a redshirt junior in Griffin, who might have another year of eligibility after last year). Not an easy stat to track down, but I'd bet that it's the first time in history that a NBA team started five guys who would all still be in college.
David Lassen of the Riverside Press Enterprise just came up with the stat of the night - the Clippers' starting lineup has a combined 301 games of NBA experience; Jordan Farmar of the Nets has 310.
DeAndre is in there to defend Lopez. VDN doesn't see Griffin as a viable option at the five against Lopez - he's just too big. So you can expect to see some Collins tonight also, if DJ has to come out before Lopez does (which you can count on.)
Nothing new to report on the injury front. Davis, Kaman and Foye are out. Gordon is getting stronger and will start and play, but he's still sore.