Clips Nation - Clippers-Nets game coverage: Starting a streakWhat it do babyyyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47967/clipsnation_fave.png2013-03-23T23:07:55-07:00http://www.clipsnation.com/rss/stream/39022772013-03-23T23:07:55-07:002013-03-23T23:07:55-07:00Clippers' Crawford steals one from Nets, 101-95
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kSN_x_XaceKaU92AechvCQvuZCc=/0x86:4000x2753/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10319519/20130323_jla_al2_607.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Jamal Crawford is known for his offense, but his steal in the final minute was the play of the game in the Clippers victory over the Nets.</p> <p>There were two heroes for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> in their <a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20130323/BKNLAC/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore" target="_blank">101-95 victory</a> over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a> Saturday night, one you would expect and one you might not. With less than a minute remaining and the Clippers clinging to a two point lead in a game they had trailed most of the evening, <span>Jamal Crawford</span> made the play of the game -- on the defensive end. Crawford is one of the most talented scorers in the league and not known at all for his defense (though he is better than people give him credit for), but as the Nets were getting into their set, Crawford shot the passing lane to step in front of <span>Gerald Wallace</span> and steal <span>Deron Williams</span> somewhat lazy wing pass. Crawford took the ball the length of the floor for a two-handed jam to give the Clippers a four point lead with just 48 seconds remaining in the game.</p>
<p>But the Clippers weren't out of the woods yet. A quick bucket from <span>Joe Johnson</span> brought Brooklyn back to within a basket with 41 seconds left, meaning the Nets needed just one stop to give themselves a chance to tie or take the lead. The Clippers ran a center pick and roll, which was by far their most productive set all night, and Paul got into the lane. As he rose to shoot, three Nets descended on him, and Williams fouled him. Amazingly, Paul lost control of the ball as he was fouled, gathered it back from his left hand to his right hand, and still managed to make the shot. The old-fashioned three point play gave the Clippers a five point lead and all they had to do the rest of the way was make their free throws.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/D4XtjFMuKCY" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1364105207609"></p>
<p>The Clippers survived a sub-par game from <span>Blake Griffin</span>, who was mostly stymied by his old teammate <span>Reggie Evans</span>. Evans mostly kept Griffin away from the rim, holding him to 11 points on 4-11 shooting and forcing him into four turnovers. But while Griffin struggled, <span>DeAndre Jordan</span> thrived. Jordan was 6-6 and finished with a 13/12 double-double, swatting away three shots for good measure. And while we're more or less accustomed to Jordan shooting a high percentage on exclusively dunks, he actually made four or five basketball plays in this game, making moves in the post and tough put backs around the rim.</p>
<p>Paul finished with 29 points and 11 assists, one of his best games of the season statistically. As is often the case, he did most of his damage in the fourth quarter, scoring 17 of his 29 points including nine straight free throws. It's no coincidence that the Clippers turned a five point deficit heading into the quarter into a six point win, winning the quarter 31-20 over the Nets.</p>
<p>If you think about it, the Clippers haven't had many of these types of games this season. Very frequently they've built huge leads and coasted in the fourth quarter, playing the second unit the majority or even all of the minutes. And unfortunately, on several occasions when they've needed heroics in the final minutes to pull out a win, they've come up short. In games decided by three or fewer points this season, the Clippers are just 2-3. Last season it seemed like Paul was pulling out miraculous shots in the final minutes at least once a week. It's nice that the Clippers haven't needed it much this season -- but it's also nice to know that it's still there if they do need it going forward or in the playoffs.</p>
<p>Had the Clippers not won, they might have had their own official time keeper to blame after a bizarre turn of events midway through the fourth quarter. The Clippers had just taken a four point lead and had the ball looking to add to it. A near steal by <span>C.J. Watson</span> wound up with the ball going out of bounds to the Clippers, and the officiating crew had to make sure the shot clock was correctly set. It's hard to know exactly what transpired, but I feel fairly certain that Danny Crawford told the timer to put six seconds on the shot clock. Instead, he originally put 16 on the clock, and all of the Clippers saw the clock at that point. But on the replay you can see Crawford motioning to the scorer's table, and directly before the officials give the ball to the Clippers for their inbounds play, the clock switches down to six seconds. <span>Matt Barnes</span> receives the inbounds pass still believing they have 16 seconds to run a play, takes a couple of leisurely dribbles and passes the ball to Paul, who calmly checks the clock and sees that there are only two seconds on it. He's forced into a desperation three point attempt that misses everything resulting in a shot clock violation. Six seconds is plenty of time to get a shot, if you know that you have six seconds. Clearly the communication broke down somewhere -- one presumes for instance that the officiating crew would inform the coaches of how much time they were putting on the clock, but <span>Vinny Del Negro</span> seemed as surprised as anyone. In the end, their own timekeeper pulled a 16-6 bait and switch on the Clippers that directly resulted in a turnover at a crucial juncture of the game. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it. At least it didn't cost them the game in the end.</p>
<p>Both Memphis and Denver won as well, so the Clippers needed this win to keep pace in the Western Conference playoff race. The three teams remain tied in the loss column, with Denver a half game ahead of the Clippers and Memphis a half game back. However the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Grizzlies</a> got some bad injury news today as <span>Marc Gasol</span> apparently has an abdominal strain which they say will sideline him "indefinitely." That could be a huge break for the Clippers down the stretch.</p>
<p>The win, their 48th, also sets a single season wins record for the Clippers in California. The 2005-2006 Clippers of <span>Sam Cassell</span> and <span>Elton Brand</span> won 47 records, but this is the most by any team in the west coast history of the club -- and their are still a dozen games left to play. Their next win will tie the franchise mark of 49 wins and one more win after that will mark the first 50 win season in franchise history.</p>
<p>The next four games come in a tough five night road trip that starts Tuesday in Dallas. Playoff positioning and franchise records will all be on the line. For the first time in March, the Clippers have put back-to-back wins together -- we'll see if they can keep the streak going on the road.</p>
<p>For the Brooklyn perspective, visit Nets Daily.</p>
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<table class="box-score">
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 3.23.2013 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a> </span></td>
<td>24</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>20</td>
<td class="highlight">95</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> </span></td>
<td>25</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>31</td>
<td class="highlight">101</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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<div class="pane sports_data_widget conference_standings clearfix">
<h3>Western Standings</h3>
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<thead class="super-head"><tr>
<th></th> <th>GP</th> <th>W-L</th> <th>PCT</th>
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<tbody>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a></td>
<td>69</td>
<td>53-16</td>
<td class="td-last">.768</td>
</tr>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a></td>
<td>70</td>
<td>51-19</td>
<td class="td-last">.729</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a></td>
<td>71</td>
<td>49-22</td>
<td class="td-last">.690</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a></td>
<td>70</td>
<td>48-22</td>
<td class="td-last">.686</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a></td>
<td>69</td>
<td>47-22</td>
<td class="td-last">.681</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a></td>
<td>71</td>
<td>40-31</td>
<td class="td-last">.563</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a></td>
<td>69</td>
<td>38-31</td>
<td class="td-last">.551</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a></td>
<td>70</td>
<td>36-34</td>
<td class="td-last">.514</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a></td>
<td>69</td>
<td>34-35</td>
<td class="td-last">.493</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a></td>
<td>69</td>
<td>33-36</td>
<td class="td-last">.478</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a></td>
<td>69</td>
<td>33-36</td>
<td class="td-last">.478</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a></td>
<td>67</td>
<td>24-43</td>
<td class="td-last">.358</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a style="background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sacramento Kings</a></td>
<td>70</td>
<td>25-45</td>
<td class="td-last">.357</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets">New Orleans Hornets</a></td>
<td>70</td>
<td>24-46</td>
<td class="td-last">.343</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a></td>
<td>70</td>
<td>23-47</td>
<td class="td-last">.329</td>
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<p><br id="1364105428034"></p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2013/3/23/4141022/clippers-crawford-steals-one-from-nets-101-95Steve Perrin2013-03-23T19:15:03-07:002013-03-23T19:15:03-07:00Clippers-Nets open thread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/je0-zc8qtNC6o6Ebf_OmpKhGxRo=/63x0:3936x2582/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10272815/156882952.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bruce Bennett</figcaption>
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<p>The Clippers have beaten every Eastern Conference team this season except the Nets, but they can change that with a win tonight.</p> <table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" cellpadding="5" align="center"><tbody>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver">2012/2013 NBA Regular Season</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><img alt="Bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/472353/bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium.gif"></center></td>
<th align="center" width="20">vs</th>
<td width="240"><center><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1783549/hsuff5m3dgiv20kovde422r1f_medium.gif" alt="Hsuff5m3dgiv20kovde422r1f_medium"></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><b>47-22</b></center></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><center><b>40-28</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><b>March 23rd, 2013, 7:30 PM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>STAPLES Center</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>Prime Ticket, KFWB 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM<br></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/los-angeles-clippers-tickets?pubid=1011034"><b>Clippers Tickets</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><b>Probable Starters</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b><span>Chris Paul</span></b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">PG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Deron Williams</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b><span>Willie Green</span></b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">SG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Joe Johnson</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><span><b>Caron Butler</b></span></td>
<th align="center" width="20">SF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Gerald Wallace</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><span><b>Blake Griffin</b></span></td>
<th align="center" width="20">PF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Reggie Evans</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><span><b>DeAndre Jordan</b></span></td>
<th align="center" width="20">C</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Brook Lopez</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><b>Advanced Stats through games of March 22</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b style="text-align: start; ">91.5 (17th of 30)</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">Pace</th>
<td width="240"><b>88.3 (30th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b style="text-align: start; ">110.0 (4th of 30)</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>107.4 (9th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b style="text-align: start; ">102.8 (7th of 30)</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>105.8 (16th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><b>Injuries</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240" style="text-align: right;"><b><span>Chauncey Billups</span> (groin) GTD</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Kris Humphries</span> (back) questionable</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;" align="right" width="240">
<b><span>Eric Bledsoe</span> (calf) </b><b>GTD</b>
</td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;" align="right" width="240"><b><span>Ronny Turiaf</span> (knee) questionable</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><br></td>
</tr>
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<th bgcolor="silver" height="20" colspan="3"></th>
</tr>
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<p> </p>
<p>Hopefully the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> will have Billups and Bledsoe back tonight.</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2013/3/23/4138240/clippers-nets-open-threadSteve Perrin2013-03-23T00:27:57-07:002013-03-23T00:27:57-07:00Clippers-Nets preview: Two in a row would be nice
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/95GV4AK-AF7Yy0HyA-RnfVBxnb4=/0x323:4000x2990/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10272641/20121212_kkt_aw8_440.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Clippers haven't won back-to-back games in the month of March, in contrast to their many win streaks the rest of the season. They can make it two in a row tonight against the Nets.</p> <table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" cellpadding="5" align="center"><tbody>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver">2012/2013 NBA Regular Season</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><img alt="Bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/472353/bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium.gif"></center></td>
<th align="center" width="20">vs</th>
<td width="240"><center><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1783549/hsuff5m3dgiv20kovde422r1f_medium.gif" alt="Hsuff5m3dgiv20kovde422r1f_medium"></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><b>47-22</b></center></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><center><b>40-28</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><b>March 23rd, 2013, 7:30 PM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>STAPLES Center</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>Prime Ticket, KFWB 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM<br></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/los-angeles-clippers-tickets?pubid=1011034"><b>Clippers Tickets</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><b>Probable Starters</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b><span>Chris Paul</span></b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">PG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Deron Williams</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b><span>Willie Green</span></b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">SG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Joe Johnson</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><span><b>Caron Butler</b></span></td>
<th align="center" width="20">SF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Gerald Wallace</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><span><b>Blake Griffin</b></span></td>
<th align="center" width="20">PF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Reggie Evans</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><span><b>DeAndre Jordan</b></span></td>
<th align="center" width="20">C</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Brook Lopez</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><b>Advanced Stats through games of March 22</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b style="text-align: start; ">91.5 (17th of 30)</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">Pace</th>
<td width="240"><b>88.3 (30th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b style="text-align: start; ">110.0 (4th of 30)</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>107.4 (9th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b style="text-align: start; ">102.8 (7th of 30)</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>105.8 (16th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><b>Injuries</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240" style="text-align: right;"><b><span>Chauncey Billups</span> (groin) GTD</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Kris Humphries</span> (back) questionable</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;" align="right" width="240">
<b><span>Eric Bledsoe</span> (calf) </b><b>GTD</b>
</td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;" align="right" width="240"><b><span>Ronny Turiaf</span> (knee) questionable</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" height="20" colspan="3"></th>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Back Story:</b></p>
<p>-- November 23, 2012 in Brooklyn | <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nets</a> 86, <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a> 76 | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2012/11/23/3683062/clippers-over-nets"><b>Recap</b></a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20121123/LACBKN/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore"><b>Box Score</b></a></p>
<ul></ul>
<p><b>The Big Picture:</b></p>
<p>The Clippers have alternated wins and losses for the past nine games, which accounts for every game they've played in the month of March. With fewer then four weeks remaining in the regular season and the team in a heated battle for the third seed in the Western Conference, that trend needs to end really soon, like tonight. Not that they should need extra motivation at this point, but they do have the revenge angle in this game, having lost pretty decisively to the Nets in Brooklyn. With a four-games-in-five-nights road trip looming after this one, the Clippers can ill-afford to lose to the Nets again. The battle at the point guard between Chris Paul and Deron Williams will be the marquee matchup as those two have always been the story whenever they've faced each other ever since they were chosen three and four in the 2005 draft. But the more important matchups may be how the Clippers deal with Johnson's size at shooting guard and how DeAndre Jordan handles Nets leading scorer Brook Lopez.</p>
<p><b>The Antagonist:</b></p>
<p>The Nets have had an up and down season. They fired coach Avery Johnson just 28 games in, and have played better under P.J. Carlesimo, but they remain inconsistent. They're on a pretty decent roll at present, having won six of their last eight, and are only a game and a half back of the slumping <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a> for the Atlantic division title. Unfortunately, they're also on game three of a season long eight game road trip -- not the trip you want on the schedule when you're trying to make that final playoff push. There's lots of talent and experience on the roster -- four of the five starters have been NBA All Stars, including first timer this year Lopez. In fact, with <span>Derrick Rose</span> still out, one could easily see the Nets in the Eastern Conference Finals -- but they really need to pass the Knicks in the standings if they want to get there, because they do not want to see the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Heat</a> in the second round. Lopez leads the team in scoring, but Williams and Johnson are fully capable of putting up big numbers themselves.</p>
<p><b>The Subplots</b></p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Comparison of key metrics.</b> Last night's opponent was average on offense and terrible on defense. Tonight's is average on defense and terrible on offense. Another similarity that works in the Clippers favor tonight -- the Sixers, like the <a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kings</a>, are much better at home than on the road.</li>
<li> <b>Big Nets.</b> The Nets are big at almost every position. Williams has good size for a point guard, Johnson is the size of a forward at the two, Wallace has played plenty of four in his career, and Lopez is huge. Evans isn't tall for an NBA four, but he's plenty strong. How Willie Green or Chauncey Billups handles Johnson, or finding someone for <span>Jamal Crawford</span> to guard when he's on the floor, will be a challenge for the Clippers. You can expect to see a lot of <span>Matt Barnes</span> to help on the wings, and this might be a game for <span>Grant Hill</span> on the wing as well. L.A. can also counterbalance the size with their quickness and speed if they can force some turnovers and get out and run.</li>
<li> <b>Bledsoe and Billups.</b> Clipper point guards Eric Bledsoe and Chauncey Billups are both game time decisions for tonight's game according to <span>Vinny Del Negro</span>. Bledsoe practiced full speed on Friday for the first time in awhile and declared afterwards that his sore calf felt fine. Billups practiced but did not participate in contact drills while he recovers from a groin injury. The Clippers are thin at point guard without them, with only rookie Malik Wayns backing up Paul. They'll definitely be needed on the road trip, with the team playing two pairs of back-to-back games.</li>
<li>
<b>The Race.</b> The Hornets helped out the Clippers Friday night by beating the Grizzlies in New Orleans. That leaves the Clippers a half game behind Denver and a half game ahead of Memphis, with all three teams tied in the loss column with 22 losses. At least Memphis showed their not invincible with the loss to the Hornets. Nor is Denver invincible, though they are very, very lucky. Two of their last three wins are unlikely to say the least. They got the benefit of a couple controversial basket interference calls to beat Chicago, then beat Philly despite trailing by five points with 14 seconds left. Memphis and Denver are both home tonight and likely to win so the Clippers had best win as well to keep pace.</li>
<li> <b>Reggie Evans.</b> The Nets have one of the most expensive rosters in the NBA. They have five players (one at each position) making between $9.7M and $19.8M. But their starting power forward isn't Kris Humphries at $12M per season -- it's former Clipper Reggie Evans, making a little more than then NBA minimum. Evans, as Clipper fans know well, is a rebounding maniac. He leads the league in essentially every pace adjusted rebounding category -- total rebound percentage, offensive rebound percentage, defensive rebound percentage, total rebounds per minute and defensive rebounds per minute. He trails Roy Hibbard in offensive rebounds per minute by one tenth of a rebound, but bear in mind that Brooklyn plays at the slowest pace in the NBA and that Indiana is 29th in shooting percentage, so Hibbard has a lot more chances to grab offensive rebounds.</li>
<li> <b>First meeting.</b> When these teams met in Brooklyn in November the Clippers played a pretty decent first half and led by seven at the break. Then they came out and played their worst half of the season after intermission. They scored 29 points in the entire half and shot 30% from the field. I don't remember it being anything in particular that the Brooklyn defense was doing -- they just played dreadful basketball and could not shoot. Hopefully there won't be a repeat of that mess.</li>
<li> <b>Avoiding a sweep.</b> The <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> and the Nets are the only teams the Clippers have not beaten this season. The Thunder have completed their 3-0 sweep as the Clippers don't have any more games against them but L.A. can make it a season in which they beat 28 out of 29 NBA opponents with a win tonight. Not bad. (They may yet get a chance to beat the Thunder in the playoffs of course.)</li>
<li> <b>Postseason clinched.</b> When Utah lost in overtime in San Antonio Friday night it clinched a playoff spot for the Clippers. This marks only the second time in the team's California history that the team will make back-to-back playoff appearances.</li>
<li> <b>More milestones.</b> The Clippers next win will also mark the best season since the franchise left Buffalo. The team currently has 47 wins, a level reached by the 05-06 Clippers. For what it's worth, one more win (or one more Laker loss) will also guarantee that the Clippers finish ahead of their L.A. rivals in the standings. The magic number to clinch the Pacific Division is four.</li>
<li> <b>Paul and Williams.</b> Ever since they were picked third and fourth in the 2005 draft, Paul and Williams have been linked. As Steve Nash aged, the question was which of them would be given the title of best point guard in the NBA. Paul has more or less ended the debate on that subject over the last few seasons, but Williams is no slouch, and the one area where he has consistently bested Paul is head-to-head, where Williams' teams have won <a target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=willide01&p2=paulch01">14 of their 18 meetings</a> including their only two meetings since Paul's been a Clipper (Williams missed the game in L.A. last year).</li>
<li> <b>The 10K/5K club.</b> How closely linked are the careers of CP3 and DWill? On March 11, Williams scored his 10 thousandth NBA point. Two days later, Paul scored his 10 thousandth. In so doing they became the 49th and 50th members of the 10,000 points/5,000 assists club in NBA history. Williams now has 10,105 points and 5,130 assists while Paul has 10,069 points and 5,321 assists.</li>
<li> <b>The Kardashian men.</b> I hate to even mention it, but it's going to come up. This game features two power forwards who have married Kardashians. The Clippers' <span>Lamar Odom</span> is still with Khloe -- the Nets' Humphries marriage to Kim didn't work out as well. They filed for divorce just 72 days after their reality TV wedding. Humphries is questionable for this game with a sore back, which is just as well given that he's had some big games against the Clippers. </li>
<li> <b>Big minutes for Paul?</b> Depending on the health of Billups and Bledsoe, Paul could be in for a long night. The Clippers have two days off before playing in Dallas Tuesday so it shouldn't be a huge problem, but they'll need Bledsoe and/or Billups (hopefully both) back by then at least.</li>
<li> <b>Connections.</b> <span>Nick Young</span> played 22 games and 11 playoff games for the Clippers last season after a deadline trade. He was instrumental in the Clippers' defeat of Memphis in the first round. Clipper Willie Green spent seven seasons in Philadelphia.</li>
<li><b>Get the Brooklyn perspective at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets Daily</a>.</b></li>
<li> <b>Lyrical reference:</b><br><br><a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj0_Ny6ziLc"><b>Jason and the Argonauts -- XTC</b></a><br><br><i>Seems the more I travel, <br>From the foam to gravel, <br>As the <b>nets</b> unravel, <br>All exotic fish I find like Jason and the Argonauts <br>There may be no golden fleece, <br>But human riches I'll release <br><br>I was in a land where men force women to hide their facial features, <br>And here in the west it's just the same but they're using make-up veils. <br>I've seen acts of every shade of terrible crime from man-like creatures, <br>And I've had the breath of liars blowing me off course in my sails.</i><br><br><i>XTC </i>really doesn't get enough credit as a ground-breaking band. The stuff they were doing in the early 80s was really quite out there, and uncommonly good at the same time.</li>
</ul>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2013/3/23/4138148/clippers-nets-preview-two-in-a-row-would-be-niceSteve Perrin