Clips Nation - Clippers-Spurs game coverage: The push for seedingWhat it do babyyyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47967/clipsnation_fave.png2014-02-18T23:03:39-08:00http://www.clipsnation.com/rss/stream/51880472014-02-18T23:03:39-08:002014-02-18T23:03:39-08:00Spurs frustrate Clippers, 113-103
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XeBoSYJNQ0_DefitIblx7k5d3w8=/340x56:3687x2287/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28845535/20140218_gav_sv5_002.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Missing three starters including All Star Tony Parker, the Spurs nonetheless prevailed over the Clippers in a key game in the Western Conference race.</p> <p>In a game that was clearly important in many different ways, playing against a team missing three starters, the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a> made mistakes both large and small on their way to one of their most frustrating losses of the season. It almost goes without saying that the <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Spurs</a> are a difficult team to beat, regardless of who they put on the floor -- if the Clippers took them lightly, it was obviously a mistake. I don't really think that was the case however; I just think they weren't nearly as sharp as they needed to be, and they paid the price.</p>
<p>The biggest problem of course is that <span>Chris Paul</span> had his worst shooting game of the season (1-10) while <span>Patty Mills</span> of the Spurs made everyone forget about <span>Tony Parker</span> with 25 points on 9-15 shooting. Mills scored 16 of his 25 in the fourth quarter and more or less single-handedly slammed the door shut on any comeback the Clippers might have tried to mount. It's tempting to simply say "Oh well, what are the odds Patty Mills thoroughly outplays Chris Paul? It's just a flukey game" and move on. But there was more going on here.</p>
<p>One other huge problem in the game was the utter futility of the Clippers small forwards. In 43 minutes on the floor, <span>Matt Barnes</span> and <span>Jared Dudley</span> combined for 10 points and two rebounds; they made just 4-14 from the field and just 1-8 from beyond the three point line. And it wouldn't be so problematic if they weren't wide open so much of the time. Defenses have to put a lot of effort into stopping the likes of <span>Blake Griffin</span> and <span>Jamal Crawford</span> and (usually) Chris Paul -- the Clippers desperately need the small forward position to make open shots. Instead, Barnes and Dudley have been missing a LOT of shots, while doing very little in the way of rebounding and defense to compensate. It's been a general problem all season -- it was an incredibly specific problem tonight.</p>
<p>On the scale of smaller problems, the Clippers simply lacked a necessary attention to detail in this game. They were beaten on the glass 48-38; they gave up 12 offensive rebounds to a team that is notoriously disinterested in going after their own misses. <span>DeAndre Jordan</span> had 18 rebounds and Griffin had 12, leaving a grand total of eight rebounds that were collected by the other nine Clippers who appeared in the game in a cumulative 163 minutes. The bench collected a grand total of four rebounds -- which sounds bad enough, but gets worse when you consider that there were times when there were no starters in the game.</p>
<p>The Clippers were also embarrassingly bad at the close of quarters. After taking a six point lead late in the second quarter they allowed the Spurs to close on a 12-1 run over the final 2:10 of the half. Then they had a repeat to end the third quarter; after battling back to tie the game at 74 with under two minutes left in the period, they then gave up an 8-2 Spurs run to see the deficit climb right back up to six. Mills made sure they never got closer than that in the fourth.</p>
<p>And a particular problem that has plagued them all season showed up once again -- they couldn't make three pointers. The Clippers remain undefeated when they make nine or more threes in a game, but they made just 6-21 in this game. With <span>J.J. Redick</span> hurt and neither Dudley nor Barnes currently able to hit anything from deep, Crawford is the only reliable deep threat most nights. This roster was built to spread the floor so that Paul would have driving lanes and Griffin would have room to operate in the post. When the three ball is falling, the Clippers have been unbeaten, if not quite unbeatable. But when it is not, it bogs down all the other aspects of the attack as well.</p>
<p>The Clippers squandered good games from Griffin (35 points on 24 shots, 12 rebounds and four assists), Crawford (25 points on 15 shots) and Jordan (18 rebounds and six blocked shots) -- but pretty much no one else played well.</p>
<p>The win drops the Clippers into <strike>sixth</strike> fifth place in the Western Conference. It gives the Spurs a three game lead on LA in the standings. It also gives them the season series and the head-to-head tie breaker.</p>
<p>There are 26 games left and the Clippers will eventually get J.J. Redick back, which won't ameliorate all of their problems, but will certainly make a huge difference in their perimeter shooting. It was clearly a bad game for Paul and many other Clippers, and they will just as clearly play better on most nights. Losses happen all the time, and a few wins tend to help you forget the losses. But the memory of this one will stick with the Clippers a bit longer.</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/2/18/5425004/spurs-frustrate-clippers-113-103Steve Perrin2014-02-18T20:50:02-08:002014-02-18T20:50:02-08:00Clippers-Spurs second half open thread
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<p>If you are the first in this thread, please post a link forward in the comments of the first half thread so that others can follow to the new one.</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/2/18/5424042/clippers-spurs-second-half-open-threadSteve Perrin2014-02-18T19:15:01-08:002014-02-18T19:15:01-08:00Clippers-Spurs open thread
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oCTXJ-sNSJi3c8PBy6EeZj-eJRo=/0x320:3175x2437/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28832343/20131220_kkt_al2_965.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Spurs are wounded, missing Tony Parker, as they come into STAPLES Center to face the Clippers, but LA will be without J.J. Redick as well, and San Antonio is always dangerous.</p> <table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" cellpadding="5" align="center"><tbody>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">2013/2014 NBA Regular Season</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/472353/bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium.gif" alt="Bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium"></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center">vs</th>
<td width="240"><center> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/90304/827.gif"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/90304/827_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="827_medium"></a> <br id="1392703137553">
</center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><b>37-18</b></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><center><b>38-15</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>February 18th, 2014, 7:30 PM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>STAPLES Center</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>Prime Ticket, NBA-TV, KFWB 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">Win-Loss Breakdown</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>17-9</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">East</th>
<td width="240"><b>16-6</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>20-9</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">West</th>
<td width="240"><b>22-9</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>23-4</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Home</th>
<td width="240"><b>18-8</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>14-14</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Road</th>
<td width="240"><b>20-7</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>13-11</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500+</th>
<td width="240"><b>12-12</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>24-7</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500-</th>
<td width="240"><b>26-3</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>7-3</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">L10</th>
<td width="240"><b>5-5</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Probable Starters</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Chris Paul</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span><strike>Tony Parker</strike></span> <span>Cory Joseph</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Jamal Crawford</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Marco Belinelli</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Matt Barnes</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Danny Green</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Blake Griffin</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Boris Diaw</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">C</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Tim Duncan</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Advanced Stats</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">97.92 (8th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Pace</th>
<td width="240"><b>96.28 (15th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">108.8 (2nd of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">ORtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>107.4 (7th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">102.0 (8th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">DRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>100.4 (5th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Injuries/Other</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; "><span>J.J. Redick</span> (hip) out</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Manu Ginobili</span> (hamstring) Limited</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Willie Green</span> (hip) questionable</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b>Tony Parker (various) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><br></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Tiago Splitter</span> (calf) GTD</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><br></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Kawhi Leonard</span> (broken finger) GTD</b></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Back Story (The season series is tied, 1-1):</b></p>
<table border="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>Date</b></td>
<td><b>Venue</b></td>
<td><b>Final</b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>12/16/13</b></td>
<td><b>Los Angeles</b></td>
<td><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> 115, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> 92</b></td>
<td><a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2013/12/16/5219038/clippers-get-signature-win-over-spurs-115-92" target="_blank"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20131216/SASLAC/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore" target="_blank"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>01/04/14</b></td>
<td><b>San Antonio</b></td>
<td><b>Spurs 116, Clippers 92</b></td>
<td><a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2014/1/4/5275452/clippers-spurned-by-spurs-116-92" target="_blank"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20140104/LACSAS/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore" target="_blank"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p>A second half open thread will publish at 8:50. If you are the first in that thread, please post a link forward in the comments here so that others can follow to the new one.</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/2/18/5424016/clippers-spurs-open-threadSteve Perrin2014-02-18T15:11:44-08:002014-02-18T15:11:44-08:00Clippers-Spurs: Cliff Paul bobblehead night
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</figure>
<p>Fans at tonight's game will get a Cliff Paul bobblehead, making him the first insurance agent ever to be memorialized in bobblehead form.</p> <p>If you're going to the game tonight, you're in for a treat: a Cliff Paul bobblehead. It's the first time in NBA history that an insurance agent has been memorialized in a bobblehead.</p>
<p>The folks at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bdainc.com/">BDA</a> sent me my very own Cliff Paul bobblehead in advance of the game, and I can tell you that ClipperZoe is absolutely thrilled. She's loved Cliff Paul from the beginning of the "<a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvih8mQ1H1Q">Born to Assist</a>" ad campaign, which has been going strong for State Farm for over a year now.</p>
<p>What I don't get is why Cliff and Chris have the same last name when they were separated at birth. I mean, what are the odds that they both went home with a family named Paul?</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a> remain one of very few NBA teams without an official in arena mascot (no, Clipper Darrel doesn't count). Maybe they should have Cliff Paul be the mascot. Or a whole team of dunking Cliff Paul's. Or the intern from the Griffin Force. I'm full of great ideas like this.</p>
<p>At any rate, if you're going to the game tonight, enjoy your Cliff Paul bobblehead. I'll display mine proudly at my desk if I can ever get it back from ClipperZoe.<br id="1392764661756"></p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/2/18/5423796/clippers-spurs-cliff-paul-bobblehead-nightSteve Perrin2014-02-18T11:37:58-08:002014-02-18T11:37:58-08:00Clippers-Spurs injury updates
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tjigLs-_1yfpUe4xpdnTsNQmVvI=/380x290:3706x2507/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28818647/457346009.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Gross</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Coach Gregg Popovich is shutting Tony Parker down until further notice, beginning tonight against the Clippers. Ginobili will play, while Splitter and Leonard are game time decisions.</p> <p>If you wanted to see a full strength <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> team in their final meeting of the regular season with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a>, it's not happening. If you were hoping that the Clippers would catch a break and play a weakened Spurs tea that many other rivals have seen lately, you got your wish.</p>
<p>Arguably the most important Spur, All Star point guard <span>Tony Parker</span>, will not play tonight, according to <span>Gregg Popovich</span> via Spurs beat writer Mike Monroe.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Tony Parker out for "foreseeable future " per Pop, citing variety of maladies</p>
— Mike Monroe (@Monroe_SA) <a href="https://twitter.com/Monroe_SA/statuses/435852401694605312">February 18, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Interestingly, Parker really wanted to play in the All Star Game on Sunday, and did appear for 11 minutes, but is apparently not healthy enough for an actual NBA game.</p>
<p>Monroe has the latest on the myriad other injured Spurs as well.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Per Popovich: Parker out; Ginobili limited min.; Splitter, Leonard game time decision vs. Clips</p>
— Mike Monroe (@Monroe_SA) <a href="https://twitter.com/Monroe_SA/statuses/435855484218642432">February 18, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>So there you have it. The Spurs could be down three starters, though both <span>Tiago Splitter</span> and <span>Kawhi Leonard</span> could play. And sixth man <span>Manu Ginobili</span> will play but will have a minutes restriction coming back from a hamstring injury.</p>
<p>Of course, <span>Patty Mills</span> scored 32 points in 25 minutes for the Spurs ten days ago, so you never take the Spurs lightly, even an injured Spurs team. Everyone who puts on that ugly uniform is completely bought into Popovich's system and they will execute you to death if you're not sharp. The Clippers' task certainly got easiER with Parker out, but it will by no means be easy to beat the Spurs.</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/2/18/5423190/clippers-spurs-injury-updatesSteve Perrin2014-02-18T00:00:01-08:002014-02-18T00:00:01-08:00Clippers-Spurs preview: Back to business
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/u_ErD7j8__s9We0tsB3MAPmyZIY=/680x130:3606x2081/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28787139/20140104_mta_ai4_267.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The All Star Game is history and the Clippers have work to do to move up in the Western Conference. That work begins tonight, against the team directly above them in the standings, the Spurs.</p> <table align="center" cellpadding="5" border="1" cellspacing="5" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table"><tbody>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver">2013/2014 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> <a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/90304/827.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="827_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/90304/827_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1392703137553">
</center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><b>37-18</b></center></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><center><b>38-15</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><b>February 18th, 2014, 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, NBA-TV, KFWB 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver">Win-Loss Breakdown</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b>17-9</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">East</th>
<td width="240"><b>16-6</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b>20-9</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">West</th>
<td width="240"><b>22-9</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b>23-4</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">Home</th>
<td width="240"><b>18-8</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b>14-14</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">Road</th>
<td width="240"><b>20-7</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b>13-11</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">.500+</th>
<td width="240"><b>12-12</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b>24-7</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">.500-</th>
<td width="240"><b>26-3</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b>7-3</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">L10</th>
<td width="240"><b>5-5</b></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><strike>Tony Parker</strike></span> Cory Joseph</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b><span>Jamal Crawford</span></b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">SG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Marco Belinelli</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b><span>Matt Barnes</span></b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">SF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Danny Green</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b><span>Blake Griffin</span></b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">PF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Tim Duncan</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">C</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Tiago Splitter</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><b>Advanced Stats</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b style="text-align: start; ">97.92 (8th of 30)</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">Pace</th>
<td width="240"><b>96.28 (15th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b style="text-align: start; ">108.8 (2nd of 30)</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>107.4 (7th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b style="text-align: start; ">102.0 (8th of 30)</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>100.4 (5th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><b>Injuries/Other</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b style="text-align: start; "><span>J.J. Redick</span> (hip) out</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Manu Ginobili</span> (hamstring) Limited</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b><span>Willie Green</span> (hip) questionable</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b>Tony Parker (various) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><br></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b>Tiago Splitter (calf) GTD</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><br></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Kawhi Leonard</span> (broken finger) GTD</b></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Back Story (The season series is tied, 1-1):</b></p>
<table border="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>Date</b></td>
<td><b>Venue</b></td>
<td><b>Final</b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>12/16/13</b></td>
<td><b>Los Angeles</b></td>
<td><b><a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a> 115, <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Spurs</a> 92</b></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2013/12/16/5219038/clippers-get-signature-win-over-spurs-115-92"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20131216/SASLAC/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>01/04/14</b></td>
<td><b>San Antonio</b></td>
<td><b>Spurs 116, Clippers 92</b></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2014/1/4/5275452/clippers-spurned-by-spurs-116-92"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20140104/LACSAS/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Big Picture:</b></p>
<p>The Clippers reengage the NBA season post All Star break with plenty of optimism. The team weathered what was supposed to be a very difficult time while All NBA point guard Chris Paul was injured, and didn't just survive but thrived. Now that Paul is back he joins a new and improved Blake Griffin, who took the proverbial next step during Paul's absence. In fact, although he cemented his gains while Paul was out, Griffin actually started his current tear before Paul was hurt, and the real start can be traced back to the mid-December meeting with the Spurs when he scored 27 points on just 14 shots. The Clippers still won't be at full strength for this game, as J.J. Redick will miss his fourth straight game. But the offense has been absolutely unstoppable lately, even without Redick, and the defense was good against Portland when it needed to be. Mid-February games don't get a lot bigger than this: a win moves the Clippers into sole possession of third place in the Western Conference and within a game of the Spurs in second; a loss drops them three back of the Spurs and into fifth place. As if that weren't enough, this is the final meeting of the season between these two teams, and after splitting the first two, the winner tonight will claim the season series. Head-to-head is the first tie-breaker in playoff seedings, so a win tonight is worth an extra game in the standings should the Clippers and Spurs finished tied at season's end. So yeah, big game.</p>
<p>
<link href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3706325/bloglinks.css" rel="stylesheet"></p>
<div class="blog-links-compact-container">
<h4>
<span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span> The view from San Antonio <span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
</h4>
<div class="blog-links-compact-link-container"><a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">San Antonio Spurs blog Pounding The Rock</a></div>
</div>
<p><b>The Antagonist:</b></p>
<p>The Spurs have gone 7-7 in their last 14 games as they've dealt with a series of injuries. However, there's a possibility that all of the injured Spurs will be back in uniform tonight against the Clippers. Oh, yay! If the likes of Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard do play tonight, there's no guarantee that they'll be sharp after missing three and four weeks of action respectively -- but the Spurs would certainly prefer to have them back. Even Tony Parker has been banged up, but he'll definitely play, and as always he'll be the key to the San Antonio attack. The Spurs have always had a way of exploited the weaknesses in the Clippers' defense (they do it to everyone, but we notice it more when they do it to the Clippers). We may learn something about where this team is defensively as they enter the stretch based on just how they handle the San Antonio attack. In the Alamo City back in early January, it looked like a layup line for the Spurs as they picked the Clippers apart -- but that was the first game after Paul's injury and the Clippers were almost bound to have a letdown. Neither of the first two games were close, with the home game winning easily both times. Hopefully that trend continues tonight, but I have a feeling this one is going to be close.</p>
<p><b>The Subplots</b></p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Comparison of key metrics.</b> There is not a team in the league that is top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency at this point. The Clippers (2nd in offense, 8th in defense), Spurs (7th and 5th), <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Thunder</a> (6th and 3rd) and <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockets</a> (5th and 9th) are the only four teams that are top ten in both. </li>
<li> <b>Lucky Clippers, Spurs getting healthy.</b> The Spurs have seen four of their top eight rotation players miss significant time in the last few weeks. Lucky for the Clippers, the Spurs were fully healthy when they drubbed LA in Texas back at the beginning of January, and they could be fully healthy again tonight for the first time since then. Danny Green is already back, Tiago Splitter is likely to be back tonight, and both Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard are potentially back tonight as well. </li>
<li> <b>On the other hand.</b> A fully healthy roster remains incredibly elusive for the Clippers. They have not had their top eight rotation players healthy at the same time since November 11th, fully three months ago. The hope was that J.J. Redick would be healthy after the All Star break, but apparently he's still out, and the frustrating weight for a roster with all of its weapons available goes on a least a few more days.</li>
<li> <b>Bye bye Sasha.</b> The Sasha Vujacic experience lasted 10 days for the Clippers, the length of one 10 day contract. <span>Doc Rivers</span> said today that he expects to bring someone else in on another 10 day (and that someone could be Sasha again) but with the trade deadline looming on Thursday and the Clippers next game after tonight on Friday, they'll keep a roster spot open for now, just in case. </li>
<li> <b>Trade targets?</b> Whether Doc is simply playing it close to the vest or sincerely has nothing in the works, he has said he doesn't expect the Clippers to make a move before Thursday's deadline<span>. The Clippers are one of the few teams in the league that are over the luxury tax threshold, but close enough to it to consider trying to make a move to get under. However, there's nothing obvious they could do. Dumping Green's salary wouldn't get them there, and they couldn't dump two players without adding someone back on since they have to carry a minimum of 13 contracts. So short of dumping <span>Jared Dudley</span> or Matt Barnes (or participating in a more complex trade in which they send out more salary than they receive back) it seems like they are destined to pay the luxury tax this season for the first time in franchise history.</span> </li>
<li><span><b>No Odom.</b> If indeed the Clippers do not add a player via trade, they could yet add a free agent (hopefully a defensive-minded big) to a minimum deal. But whether they intend to do that or not, one thing we know is that they won't be adding former Clipper Lamar Odom, who is apparently signing in Spain for the remainder of the ACB season. The Clippers have considered signing Odom at several points this season, and whether they got spooked by his personal struggles this year or Lamar just got tired of waiting, it no longer appears to be a possibility. </span></li>
<li><span><b>Tale of two games.</b> These teams are meeting for the third time this season. Way back in December in Los Angeles, the Clippers beat the Spurs 115-92. Then in January, the Spurs turned the tables and won 116-92. That's an aggregate score of 208-207 Spurs -- but two complete blowouts to get there. Why do I have a feeling that this game is going to be a bit more competitive?</span></li>
<li><span><b>Spurs tough trip.</b> The Spurs are in game seven of a nine game road trip, though coming directly after the All Star break as it does, the Spurs shouldn't exactly be worn out for this game. The final three games of the trip are at the Clippers, at Portland and at Phoenix -- three tough Western Conference opponents. If things break right for the Clippers, they could actually pass the Spurs in the standings this week, but of course they have to start that process with a win tonight.</span></li>
<li><span><b>Clippers' tough trip.</b> The Spurs are at the end of a tough road trip -- the Clippers depart on a tough one after this game. Playing the Spurs isn't exactly a picnic, even at home, but it's not as demanding as games at Memphis and at Oklahoma City, which is what comes next for LA. It's a very tough way to get back to work after the break. </span></li>
<li> <b>Hack-the-DJ.</b> We can be almost certain that if the game tonight is close at all, then <span>Gregg Popovich</span> will have his team intentionally foul DeAndre Jordan at some point. No NBA coach employs the hack strategy more than Pop. Pop is one of many who will foul at the end of quarter for an extra possession (smart) and he's perhaps they only one that will foul when he has the lead (dumb). Unless this game is a complete and total blow out (which the first two meetings were) Jordan will receive an intentional foul at some point. Now, as it happens, Jordan has been much better from the line recently. He has made 36 of his last 60 foul shots, a decent percentage in a not insignificant sample size. And he was downright good down the stretch of two recent close games. So perhaps DJ can change Pop's mind, or at least make him regret the decision, with a few makes.</li>
<li> <b>Spurs for life.</b> There a just a handful of players in the NBA who stay with the same franchise for the entirety of extended careers. <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> in his 16th season in Dallas, is a Mav for life. Laker for life Kobe Bryant is in his 18th season with the purple and gold and has signed on for two more (though we'll see if he's healthy enough to play them). And the big three Spurs -- Duncan (17), Parker (13) and Ginobili (12) are the only other players in the league who have a dozen or more years with the only NBA team they've played for. That's just crazy. They've managed to keep those guys together for 12 years! And there are only five guys in the league who've even been with a single team that long!</li>
<li> <b>Connections.</b> Chris Paul and Tim Duncan are far and away the two greatest players to ever come out of Wake Forest University. Clippers coach Doc Rivers spent the final two seasons of his playing career in San Antonio, where Gregg Popovich was an assistant coach at the time.</li>
<li><b>Get the Spurs perspective at <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/" target="_blank">Pounding the Rock</a>.</b></li>
<li> <b>Shakespearean reference:</b><br><a target="_blank" href="http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/sonnets/sonnet_view.php?Sonnet=50"><b>Sonnet L (50)</b></a><br><i>How heavy do I journey on the way, <br>When what I seek, my weary travel's end, <br>Doth teach that ease and that repose to say <br>'Thus far the miles are measured from thy friend!' <br>The beast that bears me, tired with my woe, <br>Plods dully on, to bear that weight in me, <br>As if by some instinct the wretch did know <br>His rider loved not speed, being made from thee: <br>The bloody <b>spur </b>cannot provoke him on <br>That sometimes anger thrusts into his hide; <br>Which heavily he answers with a groan, <br>More sharp to me than <b>spurring </b>to his side; <br>. For that same groan doth put this in my mind; <br>. My grief lies onward and my joy behind.</i> </li>
</ul>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/2/18/5421564/clippers-spurs-preview-back-to-businessSteve Perrin