Clips Nation - Clippers-Kings game coverageWhat it do babyyyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47967/clipsnation_fave.png2016-02-26T22:41:52-08:00http://www.clipsnation.com/rss/stream/105438972016-02-26T22:41:52-08:002016-02-26T22:41:52-08:00Clips Beat Kings 117-107 on Back of Chris Paul
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5L8dus64zUlkLHsBPiiWVCfGvok=/261x96:2307x1460/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48949241/usa-today-9141554.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Chris Paul had one of the best games of his career tonight, torching the Kings early and often. He got help from several of his teammates (more on that later), but tonight was the Point God show.</p> <p><b>Game Flow:</b></p>
<p>The first half was a very up and down affair, as each team scored 30 or more in both the 1st and 2nd quarters. <span>Chris Paul</span> and JJ Redick led the way early on, each finding themselves free consistently, especially in the midrange. On the other end, <span>Rudy Gay</span> and <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span> were scoring just as frequently, and Cousins was gobbling up rebounds left and right. One of the reasons the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Kings</a> were able to hang in during the 1st half was their abundance of offensive rebounds. At one point they had seven offensive boards against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> nine defensive rebounds. The effort was unacceptable, and the Clippers seemed like they might have a long night ahead of them. The Clippers' bench stayed afloat through the efforts of <span>Jamal Crawford</span>, who made several difficult shots. The 2nd quarter was much the same as the first, but this time Jeff Green got in on the action, especially after CP3 ripped him following a sequence where he hesitated and passed up a wide open 3. Sadly, despite Paul's efforts, the Kings led at the half by three, with Cousins putting up the better part of a triple double. Right before the half, Cousins stuck his hand in Chris's face and hit his eye, almost completely closing it (though it improved substantially during halftime).</p>
<p>The third quarter started out grimly; the Kings made shot after shot, finally pulling ahead by eight, 72-64. The Clips then went on a 23-2 run. Yep, you read that correctly. The defense tightened significantly (though the Kings were also just missing looks), while the Clippers got open time and again running out after the missed shots. Chris danced here and there, picking the Kings apart all over the court. Jeff Green drained three pointers, DJ got rebounds, JJ provided spacing, and Luc played defense. The unit was so good that Doc left them in until the 2:20 mark of the quarter, when he finally subbed in Wes and Jamal. Chris stayed in through the end of the quarter, and the lead reached 15.</p>
<p>Jamal started taking a lot of bad shots to start the 4th, and the Clippers offense slowed, but it didn't matter because the Kings just couldn't score. <span>Cole Aldrich</span> was extremely physical with DeMarcus Cousins, who got more and more frustrated with his lack of scoring and his team's struggles. CJ Wilcox and <span>Pablo Prigioni</span> played solid defense, and Pablo even got one of his patented inbounds steals leading to a Jamal layup. The Kings were kind of hanging around, however, so Doc brought back the starters at around the 7 minute mark. Almost immediately the Clips were back in control, and the lead ballooned out to 20. The last few minutes were consumed mostly with wondering whether Paul was coming out or not, but Doc left him in until the 0:43 mark to try to get both a triple double and a career high in points (43). Neither occurred, but it didn't really matter. The only other major event was Cousins throwing a ball going out of bounds at CP's head kind of hard, but Paul didn't seem to take much offense to it (Cousins did get a technical foul, but it was for something else- and even sillier).</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b><i>Game Notes</i></b></p>
<p><b>The Point God Cometh: </b>Chris Paul may not have put up a triple double or got his career high in points scored, but his final statline was still mind-blowing. He finished with 40 points, 13 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and only 2 turnovers. Only 6 players put up a similar or better line since 1985 (Ben Bolch on Twitter). He shot 13-20 from the field, 4-9 from three, and 10-10 from the free throw line. Oh, and he also played great defense on Darren Collison. Chris Paul is a top 5 point guard of all time by my reckoning, and this was easily a top 10 game in his career. At age 30, and with a lot of miles on him, this might be the capstone of his prime, a prime that has been underrated and overlooked by far too many basketball fans. It is a joy to watch him play basketball 82+ games a season.</p>
<p><b><span>Jeff Green's</span> First Career Clippers Start Goes Well: </b>I could talk all night about Chris Paul, but Jeff Green was huge in this game as well. After hesitating a bit in the first half, especially on the sequence I mentioned above, he came out with a vengeance in the second half. While he probably won't hit 4-5 on three pointers very frequently, I think that 20+ point games should come with decent regularity, especially while Blake remains sidelined. He ran the court well, found space behind the three point line, and threw in a handful of rebounds. Yeah he made a couple bad passes and slipped on defense a couple times. However, this is exactly the kind of game that the Clippers acquired Jeff Green to play, and he performed magnificently.</p>
<p><b>Boogie Frustrated: </b>DeMarcus Cousins is an incredible basketball talent, a guy who just dominates on the court 9 out of every 10 games he plays. Unfortunately, he still doesn't seem to have evolved much rein on his emotions, and they can really take him out of the game. He threw up a 26/15/9 line, but most of those contributions came in the first half, and he also had 7 turnovers. It is amazing that he can shoot 3 pointers, yet he settles for jumpers far too frequently. He is at his best in the post and attacking the basket, but when he gets flustered the drives lose grace and start becoming straight bully moves, which aren't quite as effective. Tonight he started growing annoyed in the 2nd quarter, and was steaming for most of the 3rd and 4th, culminating in a technical foul. This was given on a play where he complained about an overturned backcourt violation on the Clippers <i>when he was the one who touched the ball. </i>I don't think he is a bad guy necessarily, but that kind of stuff is just silly.</p>
<p><b>The Curry's and Clippers: </b>Did the Clippers ever do something to Dell Curry? Because he raised his sons to cause havoc on the Clips whenever they play them. <span>Seth Curry</span> set his career high in points tonight by dropping 19 in just 26 minutes, and on only 9 shots. He helped the game stay reasonably close throughout by knocking down seemingly every shot he took. One would think that the Clippers would know not to help off a Curry by now, but apparently not.</p>
<p><b>Overall Contributions: </b>While CP3 and Jeff were the most talked about Clippers tonight, everyone who played helped the team. Jamal carried the squad during bench unit runs, and while he took some typical "Oh no Jamal" shots, he generally played well. Cole was great on defense, and even though he wasn't credited for any blocks, he stifled a lot of looks in the paint. DJ and JJ were both relatively quiet, but finished with 11 rebounds and 16 points respectively. If this was an off night for them, well..... they are pretty good players folks. CJ Wilcox had a new season high in minutes played with 11, played mostly good defense, and looked like he belonged on the court despite missing all four of his shot attempts. Pablo, Wejo, and Luc had a couple nice plays as well.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This was a good win for the Clippers, and a highly entertaining game. Next up is an absolute must win, a home game on two days rest against the awful <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a> Monday night. Go Clips!</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2016/2/26/11125296/clips-beat-kings-117-107-on-back-of-chris-paulRobert Flom2016-02-26T19:00:02-08:002016-02-26T19:00:02-08:00Clippers at Kings Game Thread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8GBKMbPt9FxZbcz2x9uChW0FEAU=/0x589:1953x1891/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48948171/usa-today-8896072.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Clippers try to get on track in Sacramento after having lost three of five</p> <table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5"><tbody> <tr><th colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="#ED174C"><font color="white">2015-16 NBA Regular Season</font></th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><figure class="e-image"><figure class="e-image"><span> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MhTfrLag7M9EewmUSESpdaOpcEg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6095387/la_clippers_logo_detail.0.png">
</figure>
</span></figure></figure></center></td> <th align="center" width="20"><strong><font size="4">vs</font></strong></th> <td width="240"><center> <figure class="e-image"></figure><figure class="e-image"><img src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4207503/6639_sacramento_kings-alternate-2015.0.png"></figure> </center></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center> <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" data-ref-index="3">Los Angeles Clippers</a> (37-20)</center></td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240"><center><strong><a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" data-ref-index="4">Sacramento Kings</a> (24-32)</strong></center></td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="#006BB6"><font color="white"><strong>February 26, 2016 — 7:00 PM PT</strong></font></td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" align="center"><strong>Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, California</strong></td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" align="center"><strong>Prime Ticket, The Beast 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM</strong></td></tr> <tr><th colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="#006BB6"><font color="white">Win-Loss Breakdown ('15-'16)</font></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>37-20</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">Record</th> <td width="240"><strong>24-32</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>18-6</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">East</th> <td width="240"><strong>12-10</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>19-14</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">West</th> <td width="240"><strong>12-22</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>6-5</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">Division</th> <td width="240"><strong>5-7</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>19-10</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">Home</th> <td width="240"><strong>14-14</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>18-10</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">Road</th> <td width="240"><strong>10-18</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>13-15</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">.500+</th> <td width="240"><strong>11-24</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>24-5</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">.500–</th> <td width="240"><strong>13-8</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>4-1</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">OT</th> <td width="240"><strong>0-3</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>6-4</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">L10</th> <td width="240"><strong>4-6</strong></td> </tr> <tr><th colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="#006BB6"><font color="white">Projected Starters</font></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong><span>C</span>hris Paul</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240"><span>Rajon Rondo</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong><span>J</span>J Redick</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240"><span>Ben McLemore</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>Luc Mbah a Moute</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240"><span>Rudy Gay</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong><span>Jeff Green</span></strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240"><span>Quincy Acy</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><span>DeMarcus Cousins</span></td> </tr> <tr><th colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="#006BB6"><font color="white">Efficiency Stats ('15-'16)</font></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">98.4(13th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">Pace</th> <td width="240">102.5 (1st)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">106.1 (6th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">OffRtg</th> <td width="240">103.0 (15th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">100.3 (6th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">DefRtg</th> <td width="240">106.0 (24th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">5.8 (5th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">NetRtg</th> <td width="240">-2.9 (22nd)</td> </tr> <tr><th colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="#006BB6"><strong><font color="white">Injury Report</font></strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"> <p><strong><span>Austin Rivers</span> (Hand) Out</strong></p> <p><strong><span>Blake Griffin</span> (Hand) Out</strong></p> <p><strong><span>Paul Pierce</span> (Personal) Out</strong></p> </td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240"> <p><strong><span>Eric Moreland</span> (foot) Out</strong></p> <p><strong>Rajon Rondo (thumb) Questionable</strong></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p id="paragraph1" class="pgh-paragraph">Clippers lead season series 2-1</p>
<table border="0" class="sbn-data-table"><tbody> <tr class="ui-state-even"> <td>Clippers win @ Kings, 111-104, Oct 28</td> <td><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20151028/LACSAC/gameinfo.html" data-ref-index="18">Box Score</a></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-odd"> <td>Clippers win @ Staples, 114-109</td> <td><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20151031/SACLAC/gameinfo.html" data-ref-index="19">Box Score</a></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-even"> <td>Kings win @ Staples, 110-103, Jan 16</td> <td> <br> <table border="0" class="sbn-data-table"><tbody><tr class="ui-state-odd"><td> <a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20160116/SACLAC/gameinfo.html" data-ref-index="20">Box Score</a><br><br> </td></tr></tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p>Go Clips!</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2016/2/26/11124946/clippers-at-kings-game-threadRobert Flom2016-02-26T13:36:09-08:002016-02-26T13:36:09-08:00Clippers at Kings Preview
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/f0CjxZAU5oSqLCNFSOcXbFRXox4=/0x826:2470x2473/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48944327/usa-today-8889478.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Clippers are in a bit of a rough patch right now and need a nice win to straighten things out. It is very hard to predict the outcome tonight, as the Kings are one of the most mercurial teams in the league.</p> <table style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow SSm A', 'Gotham Narrow SSm B', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; border: 1px outset #aaaaaa; width: 703px; color: #292929;" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5" border="1" align="center" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table">
<tbody style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" bgcolor="#ED174C" align="center" colspan="3"><font style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" color="white">2015-16 NBA Regular Season</font></th>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><center style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><figure style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; margin: 0px;" class="e-image"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MhTfrLag7M9EewmUSESpdaOpcEg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6095387/la_clippers_logo_detail.0.png">
</figure>
</figure></center></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><font style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" size="4">vs</font></b></th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><center style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"> <figure style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; margin: 0px;" class="e-image"><br></figure><figure style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; margin: 0px;" class="e-image"><img style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #292929; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow SSm A', 'Gotham Narrow SSm B', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px;" src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4207503/6639_sacramento_kings-alternate-2015.0.png"></figure> </center></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><center style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> (37-20)</center></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"></th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><center style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sacramento Kings</a> (24-32)</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" bgcolor="#006BB6" align="center" colspan="3"><font style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" color="white"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">February 26, 2016 — 7:00 PM PT</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" align="center" colspan="3"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, California<br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"></b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" align="center" colspan="3"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Prime Ticket, The Beast 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" bgcolor="#006BB6" align="center" colspan="3"><font style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" color="white">Win-Loss Breakdown ('15-'16)</font></th>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; text-align: right;" width="240" align="right"><b>37-20</b></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">Record</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><b>24-32</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; text-align: right;" width="240" align="right"><b>18-6</b></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">East</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><b>12-10</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; text-align: right;" width="240" align="right"><b>19-14</b></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">West</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">12-22</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; text-align: right;" width="240" align="right"><b>6-5</b></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">Division</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><b>5-7</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; text-align: right;" width="240" align="right"><b>19-10</b></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">Home</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><b>14-14</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; text-align: right;" width="240" align="right"><b>18-10</b></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">Road</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">10-18</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; text-align: right;" width="240" align="right"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">13-15</b></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">.500+</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">11-24</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; text-align: right;" width="240" align="right"><b>24-5</b></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">.500–</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><b>13-8</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240" align="right"><b>4-1</b></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">OT</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><b>0-3</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240" align="right"><b>6-4</b></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">L10</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><b>4-6</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" bgcolor="#006BB6" align="center" colspan="3"><font style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" color="white">Projected Starters</font></th>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240" align="right"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span>C</span>hris Paul<br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"></b></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">PG</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><span>Rajon Rondo</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240" align="right"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span>J</span>J Redick</b></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">SG</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><span>Ben McLemore</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240" align="right"><b>Luc Mbah a Moute</b></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">SF</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><span>Rudy Gay</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240" align="right"><b><span>Jeff Green</span></b></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">PF</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><span>Quincy Acy</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240" align="right"><b><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></b></td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">C</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240"><span>DeMarcus Cousins</span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" bgcolor="#006BB6" align="center" colspan="3"><font style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" color="white">Efficiency Stats ('15-'16)</font></th>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; text-align: right;" width="240" align="right">98.4(13th)</td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">Pace</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240">102.5 (1st)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240" align="right">106.1 (6th)</td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">OffRtg</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240">103.0 (15th)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240" align="right">100.3 (6th)</td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">DefRtg</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240">106.0 (24th)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; text-align: right;" width="240" align="right">5.8 (5th)</td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center">NetRtg</th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240">-2.9 (22nd)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" bgcolor="#006BB6" align="center" colspan="3"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><font style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" color="white">Injury Report</font></b></th>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; text-align: right;" width="240" align="right">
<p><b><span>Austin Rivers</span> (Hand) Out</b></p>
<p><b><span>Blake Griffin</span> (Hand) Out</b></p>
<p><b><span>Paul Pierce</span> (Personal) Out</b></p>
</td>
<th style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;" width="240">
<p><b><span>Eric Moreland</span> (foot) Out</b></p>
<p><b>Rajon Rondo (thumb) Questionable</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>Clippers lead season series 2-1</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Clippers win @ Kings, 111-104, Oct 28</td>
<td><a style="text-decoration: underline; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20151028/LACSAC/gameinfo.html">Box Score</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Clippers win @ Staples, 114-109</td>
<td><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20151031/SACLAC/gameinfo.html">Box Score</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kings win @ Staples, 110-103, Jan 16</td>
<td>
<br>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20160116/SACLAC/gameinfo.html">Box Score</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Big Picture: </b>After a super hot stretch starting right after Blake Griffin got injured and carrying all the way through the All Star break, the Clippers are starting to show some wear and tear. They have lost three of their last five games, and while two were tough defeats, there was no excuse for the loss at home on Wednesday against a lottery bound <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets</a> squad. The healthy "Big 3" of DeAndre Jordan, <span>Chris Paul</span>, and JJ Redick have mostly been very good, but the rest of the team has lagged behind. The injury to Austin Rivers took out defense and driving ability on the perimeter, and new acquisition Jeff Green has been bad in the only two games the Clippers have needed him to be good in. Things don't get easier tonight, as the Kings aren't terrible and have a .500 record at home.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Opposition: </b>The Sacramento Kings have just kept right on the same weird path they have been following for the better part of a decade now. Namely, a losing one with a lot of strangeness thrown in. Every time it looks like they might be making progress or going on a run something happens. DeMarcus Cousins is perhaps the most dominant offensive big man since Shaq, KG, and Duncan were still in their primes a decade ago, but his effort and defense comes and goes and he pouts as much as ever. His supporting cast is rather lacking. Rudy Gay is a talented offensive player but he still takes a lot of bad shots and doesn't really stretch the floor. Rajon Rondo has had a "bounce back" year on the offensive end, yet has somehow turned from a fearsome defender into one of the biggest sieves in the game. At best he reaches and gambles for steals. At worst he completely ignores scheme or does nothing at all. <span>Omri Casspi</span> has been terrific as a shooter while <span>Willie Cauley-Stein</span> has been as good as promised on the defensive end. On the whole, though, they are utterly unpredictable, capable of taking down a top tier team or losing to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">76ers</a> in a two day span.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Matchup to Watch: DeMarcus Cousins vs DeAndre Jordan. </b>DJ has been terrific this year, especially with Blake out, but will have his hands full with Cousins. Boogie has increased his scoring to over 27 points per game this season and gets to the line over 10 times a game. He is a monster on the boards when he wants to be, and some of his statlines have been insane (he threw up a 37 and 20 just a week ago). DJ, on the other hand, is a more consistent overall player. While his impact can be limited on some nights due to hacking, he generally brings his above average paint protection and excellent rebounding each game. He will need to be an A+ tonight, because nobody else on the Clippers has a chance of dealing with DC (though <span>Cole Aldrich</span> is a <i>big</i> man, he lacks the quickness to stop Cousins' face up game).<b> </b></p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Other Keys to the Game: </b>Attack, attack, and attack some more. The Kings defense is porous, liable to give up open shots from almost everywhere on the floor. The Clippers can't simple settle, but must move the ball for better looks- they will get such looks eventually. Paul should dominate Rondo or any other Kings' point guard. JJ Redick is one of the best off ball offensive players in the game and Ben McLemore is one of the worst at defending those kinds of players. On defense, the only two real players to worry about are Cousins and Gay, but Casspi can get scorching hot from 3. He will need looking after.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Jeff Green's First Start?: </b>Paul Pierce is out tonight with a personal issue (hope everything is ok Paul!), which could open the door for Jeff to make his first start as a Clipper. Wes Johnson is another possibility, but Doc may well want to see how Jeff fits in with the Clippers starters sans Blake. Watch for lineup announcements before the game starts.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Clippers' Shooting Woes: </b>As Lucas detailed <a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2016/2/25/11113376/clippers-nets-should-but-wont-look-into-signing-joe-johnson">here</a>, the Clippers only have two above average shooters this season. The reason why their overall numbers look good is because JJ takes a lot of 3 pointers, and he is having one of the best shooting seasons in NBA history. Wes Johnson and Jeff Green are below average, and Paul Pierce and Austin Rivers have been nothing short of actual bricklayers. This hasn't proven to be a huge issue so far, but as the playoffs approach and Blake's return slowly draws nearer, it would be nice to add some shooting. Which leads into...</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Waiver Wire Market Grows: </b>While Joe Johnson is apparently signing with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a>, <span>Marcus Thornton</span> was just bought out by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a>, and <span>Kevin Martin</span> is in advance negotiations for a buy-out with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a>. Neither can play any semblance of defense, though both would immediately become useful as bench shooters who could be used in various lineups with a more defensive balance (bench unit with Austin or Luc on either side). I would like CJ Wilcox to get potential minutes as that kind of shooter, but he has almost no NBA experience while Martin and Thornton are long-time veterans. Hopefully Doc can snag one of them (or any other similar player who might become available).</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Battle for the 8th Seed: </b>The Kings are 10th in the West currently, and are four games back of the final playoff spot held by Houston. They are also three and a half games back of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Jazz</a>, who are starting to get healthy and have a lot more overall talent. It will be an uphill battle to make the playoffs, especially since the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebirdwrites.com/">Pelicans</a> and Nuggets are also lurking within a couple games of the Kings.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Upcoming Schedule: </b>The Clips actually have the 6th toughest remaining schedule. After the Kings they have a cupcake game at home against the New Jersey <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a>, who just bought out their 3rd best player in Johnson. Following that, however, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Hawks</a> come into town, both much more challenging tests, and then <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> and Thunder on the road. If Griffin and Austin miss all four of those games (Austin could be back in a few games), going 3-1 in that stretch would be a terrific outcome.</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2016/2/26/11121256/clippers-at-kings-previewRobert Flom2016-01-16T23:06:44-08:002016-01-16T23:06:44-08:00Clippers fall at home to Kings, 110-103
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ndipd5fixR3fnVOrOTz-Dy28K20=/0x0:2065x1377/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48580615/usa-today-9061887.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Withn no Blake Griffin, no DeAndre Jordan, and not enough Chris Paul, the Clippers have no more win streak after a 110-103 home loss to the Sacramento Kings.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sacramento Kings</a> tonight in a game in which they had no business even being competitive. Despite the absence of <span>Blake Griffin</span> (calf) and <span>DeAndre Jordan</span> (pneumonia) and a mediocre, foul-plagued night from <span>Chris Paul</span> (4-11 shooting in just 27 minutes) the Clippers had a wide-open <span>Paul Pierce</span> three-pointer to tie the game with 22 seconds left. Pierce's shot was just long, and the Kings made enough of their free throws to keep the Clippers at bay for the final seconds.</p>
<p>Thus ended the Clippers 10 game winning streak, a streak that never made much sense and seemed bound to end sooner rather than later. As well as the role players have played in the last few weeks, you just can't go into games night after night missing your top scorer and now also your top rebounder and rim protector and expect to win, even against non-elite teams. Yes, the Kings were another in a line of mostly sub-.500 teams, but no, this is not a bad team.</p>
<p>It would likely have been a different story had Paul not had one of his worst performances of the season. Beyond a trio of three balls, he was simply not able to get the ball in the basket. The mid-range jumper that is usually automatic was just not there tonight, and he even had four turnovers (more than one on crucial possessions) and only seven assists. No Griffin, no Jordan and a sub-par CP3 -- of course the Clippers are going to lose.</p>
<p>In fact I'm still trying to figure out how they were in the game at all, especially considering the way Sacramento reserves <span>Darren Collison</span> and <span>Omri Casspi</span> lit them up. Between them Collison and Casspi scored 34 points on 11 for 18 shooting including seven three pointers (five of six for Casspi). In fact Sacramento's three point shooting was a major key to the game. Averaging just over eight threes per game on the season, the Kings made 13, as many makes in 25 attempts as the Clippers made in 39.</p>
<p>The Clippers trailed the entire second half, with the Kings maintaining a lead somewhere between two and nine points -- the game always within reach, but never in hand. It must have been frustrating especially for Paul, watching his team hang around, hoping he would get a chance to make a difference, but not being able to get them over the top even when he finally got his chance.</p>
<p>There were some bright spots for the Clippers of course. <span>J.J. Redick</span> continues to shoot an incredible percentage from deep, making five of nine threes despite an obvious emphasis from the Sacramento defense to never leave his side.(His night was good enough to move him into the three point percentage league lead for the season at .485, now a couple of percentage points ahead of <span>Kawhi Leonard</span>.) <span>Cole Aldrich</span> went for 19 for the second game in a row as a starter and was vital in matching up with <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span> while the Clippers other bigs were out of action. <span>Jamal Crawford</span> continues to show signs of shaking off his seemingly season long slump. And even <span>Josh Smith</span>, pressed into service in the absence of Griffin and Jordan, played fairly well with seven rebounds in just 19 minutes. Smith won't be in the rotation with everyone healthy still, but I'm convinced that he could yet be important at some point this season, so it's good to see him producing when he's called upon.</p>
<p>The good news is that it's not as if this game exposed the Clippers in any way. It's likely that Jordan will be back in the lineup against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> Monday night, Griffin could be back during the ensuing road trip, and Paul isn't going to have many games like this one. The bad news is that the level of competition is about to kick up a notch, especially on the road trip, so even if they play much better, wins will be difficult to come by.</p>
<p>Ten straight was nice. Eleven would have been even nicer, but it wasn't meant to be. Now that the streak is over, it's time to get the team back to full strength and see what they can do against some good teams.</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2016/1/16/10781904/la-clippers-fall-at-home-to-sacramento-kings-110-103-griffin-jordan-paulSteve Perrin2016-01-16T19:00:03-08:002016-01-16T19:00:03-08:00Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Clippers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5rRKKxfrw-l2ypgkgq9mIgNqb10=/0x611:1889x1870/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48577613/usa-today-8896299.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Go Clippers!</p> <table align="center" cellpadding="5" border="1" cellspacing="5" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table"><tbody> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="#ED174C"><font color="white">2015-16 NBA Regular Season</font></th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><img src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4207503/6639_sacramento_kings-alternate-2015.0.png"></center></td> <th align="center" width="20"><strong><font size="4">@</font></strong></th> <td width="240"><center><img src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4341375/lacballlogo2.0.png"></center></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><strong><a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sacramento Kings</a> (16-23)</strong></center></td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240"><center><strong><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> (26-13)</strong></center></td> </tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="#006BB6"><font color="white"><strong>January 16, 2016 — 7:30 PM PT</strong></font></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>STAPLES Center (Los Angeles, California)</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Prime Ticket, CSN-CA, The Beast 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM</strong></td></tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="#006BB6"><font color="white">Projected Starters</font></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240" bgcolor="#FFD700"><strong><span>Rajon Rondo</span></strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240" bgcolor="#FFD700"><strong><span>Chris Paul</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong><span>Ben McLemore</span></strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240"><strong><span>J.J. Redick</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong><span>Rudy Gay</span></strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240"><strong><a href="www.sbnation.com/nba/players/35092/luc-mbah-a-moute" class="sbn-auto-link">Luc Richard Mbah a Moute</a></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240" bgcolor="#FFD700"><strong><span>DeMarcus Cousins</span></strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240" bgcolor="#FFD700"><strong><span>Paul Pierce</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong><span>Willie Cauley-Stein</span></strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><strong><span>Cole Aldrich</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr><th bgcolor="#006BB6" colspan="3" align="center"><font color="white">Efficiency Stats ('15-'16)</font></th></tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: right;"><strong>101.97</strong></td> <th width="20" align="center">Pace</th> <td width="240"><strong>98.40</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: right;"><strong>102.8</strong></td> <th width="20" align="center">OffRtg</th> <td width="240"><strong>105.6</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: right;"><strong>106.0</strong></td> <th width="20" align="center">DefRtg</th> <td width="240"><strong>100.6</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: right;"><strong>-3.3</strong></td> <th width="20" align="center">NetRtg</th> <td width="240"><strong>+5.0</strong></td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="#006BB6"><strong><font color="white">Injury Report</font></strong></th></tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: right;"><strong><span>Eric Moreland</span>; <span>Duje Dukan</span></strong></td> <th width="20" align="center" bgcolor="#ED174C"><font color="#FFFFFF">OUT</font></th> <td width="240" style="text-align: left;"><strong><span>Blake Griffin</span>; <span>DeAndre Jordan</span></strong></td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<p></p>
<div class="read-more" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <img align="left" src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/40/large_sactownroyalty.com.full.55303.png" height="24" width="30"> <font face="Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Grande, sans-serif"><strong>Opposition's Blog:</strong> <a href="http://www.sactownroyalty.com/" target="new">Sactown Royalty</a></font> <img align="right" src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/40/large_sactownroyalty.com.full.55303.png" height="24" width="30"> </div>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2016/1/16/10779862/gamethread-sacramento-kings-at-los-angeles-clippersJustin Russo2016-01-16T10:49:34-08:002016-01-16T10:49:34-08:00Preview: Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Clippers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tQLTcJs8EZzBK2q0FBKu3XZ1d4Y=/0x334:1953x1636/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48577537/usa-today-8896072.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As the Los Angeles Clippers look to extend their winning streak to 11 games, the Sacramento Kings attempt to inch ever so closer to the 8-seed in the Western Conference.</p> <p id="paragraph0" class="pgh-paragraph has-dropcap"><font face="verdana">To illustrate just how bad the bottom of the Western Conference is right now, the <a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sacramento Kings</a>, at 16-23, are just one full game back of the 8th seed. Even going further, the <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Suns</a>, who are as dismal of a team as you can find right now, are just 5 games back of that final spot. In fact, the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, at 9-32, are still <i>only</i> 9 games back. Yes, it’s that bad. But we’re here to talk about the Kings, not the other teams.</font></p>
<p></p>
<div class="read-more" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<img align="left" src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/40/large_sactownroyalty.com.full.55303.png" height="24" width="30"> <font face="Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Grande, sans-serif"><strong>Opposition's Blog:</strong> <a href="http://www.sactownroyalty.com/" target="new">Sactown Royalty</a></font> <img align="right" src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/40/large_sactownroyalty.com.full.55303.png" height="24" width="30">
</div>
<p><font face="verdana">The Kings lost the two prior meetings between these two teams this season, so they’re surely looking for some form of revenge. They do have some quality wins on their resume, including two over the <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Utah Jazz</a>, two over the <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Raptors</a>, one over the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Mavericks</a>, and one over the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>. They’re a dangerous team, and they’re led by <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span> and his 26.1 points per game. He’s also putting up 11.0 rebounds per game this season, as well as 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks. Cousins has become a proverbial do-it-all superstar this season, and shutting him down is going to be a major priority.</font></p>
<p><font face="verdana">Alongside him you have <span>Rudy Gay</span> (18.0 points and 6.9 rebounds), <span>Darren Collison</span> (13.0 points and 4.6 assists), and <span>Rajon Rondo</span> (11.7 points, 11.6 assists, and 6.4 rebounds). Gay is struggling from beyond the arc, Collison is a pseudo sixth man, and Rondo still can’t hit the broadside of a barn from outside 8 feet (32.1 percent this season). They have a solid bench consisting of guys like <span>Omri Casspi</span> (46.4 percent from three), <span>Marco Belinelli</span> (11.3 points), and <span>Kosta Koufos</span> (7.5 points and 6.0 rebounds). The difference maker might be rookie <span>Willie Cauley-Stein</span>. In the 447 minutes he’s played this season, the team has a +5.3 NetRtg. In the 1440 without him, it’s -5.8. He improves their defense and their offense. The Cousins-WCS pairing has played 147 minutes this season, and they’ve posted a +11.3 NetRtg. That’s something to watch out for in this game.</font></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="5" border="1" cellspacing="5" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="#ED174C"><font color="white">2015-16 NBA Regular Season</font></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><img src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4207503/6639_sacramento_kings-alternate-2015.0.png"></center></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><b><font size="4">@</font></b></th>
<td width="240"><center><img src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4341375/lacballlogo2.0.png"></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><b><a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sacramento Kings</a> (16-23)</b></center></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><center><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> (26-13)</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="#006BB6"><font color="white"><b>January 16, 2016 — 7:30 PM PT</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>STAPLES Center (Los Angeles, California)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>Prime Ticket, CSN-CA, The Beast 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="#006BB6"><font color="white">Projected Starters</font></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240" bgcolor="#FFD700"><b><span>Rajon Rondo</span></b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">PG</th>
<td width="240" bgcolor="#FFD700"><b><span>Chris Paul</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b><span>Ben McLemore</span></b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">SG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>J.J. Redick</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b><span>Rudy Gay</span></b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">SF</th>
<td width="240"><b><a href="www.sbnation.com/nba/players/35092/luc-mbah-a-moute" class="sbn-auto-link">Luc Richard Mbah a Moute</a></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240" bgcolor="#FFD700"><b><span>DeMarcus Cousins</span></b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">PF</th>
<td width="240" bgcolor="#FFD700"><b><span>Paul Pierce</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b><span>Willie Cauley-Stein</span></b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">C</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Cole Aldrich</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="#006BB6" colspan="3" align="center"><font color="white">Efficiency Stats ('15-'16)</font></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: right;"><b>101.97</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Pace</th>
<td width="240"><b>98.40</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: right;"><b>102.8</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">OffRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>105.6</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: right;"><b>106.0</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">DefRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>100.6</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: right;"><b>-3.3</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">NetRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>+5.0</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="#006BB6"><b><font color="white">Injury Report</font></b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: right;"><b></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" bgcolor="#ED174C"><font color="#FFFFFF">GTD<br></font></th>
<td width="240" style="text-align: left;"><b><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: right;"><b><span>Eric Moreland</span>; <span>Duje Dukan</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" bgcolor="#ED174C"><font color="#FFFFFF">OUT<br></font></th>
<td width="240" style="text-align: left;"><b><span>Blake Griffin</span></b></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><font face="verdana">The <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a> are riding a 10-game winning streak, which is tied with the <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Antonio Spurs</a> for the longest in the NBA at this moment, and they’ve won the last nine without superstar <span>Blake Griffin</span> – the last of which also came without dunking and defensive dynamo DeAndre Jordan. As it stands, the Clippers are just two games back of the three-seed in the Western Conference, and just one game back in the loss column. They’ve put some distance between themselves and the team in fifth, as well.</font></p>
<p></p>
<div class="read-more" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<img align="left" src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/47/large_clipsnation.com.full.51676.png" height="24" width="30"> <font face="Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Grande, sans-serif"><strong>Past Game Previews:</strong> <a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/game-previews" target="new">2015-16 Game Previews</a></font> <img align="right" src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/47/large_clipsnation.com.full.51676.png" height="24" width="30">
</div>
<p><font face="verdana">As the team embarks on yet another game without Griffin, and possibly another without Jordan, they’ll rely heavily on the talents of <span>Chris Paul</span>. During this win streak, Paul is averaging 19.4 points, 11.0 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 steals. He’s been a whirlwind of magnificence. Likewise, <span>J.J. Redick</span> has put up 17.4 points on 53-53-92 shooting during this stretch. If Jordan is out for this game, then <span>Doc Rivers</span> will probably dust off <span>Josh Smith</span> yet again to see if he can supply anything of note. <span>Cole Aldrich</span> got the start in the last game, and he produced awesomely as he totaled 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal in 24 minutes. They’ll need more of that as it’ll take an entire team effort to walk out with another win to keep the streak alive. All hands on deck for this Clipper ship!</font></p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2016/1/16/10779724/los-angeles-clippers-look-to-push-win-streak-to-11-as-the-sacramento-kings-come-callingJustin Russo