Clips Nation - Clippers-Knicks Game CoverageWhat it do babyyyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47967/clipsnation_fave.png2016-03-11T23:50:52-08:00http://www.clipsnation.com/rss/stream/80515142016-03-11T23:50:52-08:002016-03-11T23:50:52-08:00Clips Edge Out Knicks 101-94
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<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In a poorly played and sloppy game, the Clippers just eked out a victory over the struggling Knicks, winning more because of the Knicks' struggles than their own successes. </p> <p><b>Game Summary: </b>Much of the game was played at a fairly frenetic pace with seemingly constant fastbreaks. One of the enablers for that was blown dunks. At one point I think there were three or four missed dunks (or above the rim layups I suppose) in about a two minute stretch. Each team ended up shooting solid percentages from the field, but it seemed like most shots taken were completely bricked. The first half was controlled by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a>, who just looked like the better team for most of the half. <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> hit some shots for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">Knicks</a>, and <span>Robin Lopez</span> was snagging offensive rebounds and putbacks left and right, but their actual offense and defense looked disorganized and poorly executed. The only thing keeping them in the game was Clipper shot missing and poor defensive rebounding, though both of those issues seem to be more long-term maladies than game to game struggles at this point.</p>
<p>The Clippers extended their lead to 15 in the early stages of the 3rd quarter, but the Knicks "roared" back (they only scored 24 points in the period), once again led by Anthony and Lopez. Wesley Johnson and <span>J.J. Redick</span> continued to miss open looks, and the lead dwindled to low single digits. The Knicks finally tied it early on in the 4th on a <span>Sasha Vujacic</span> jumper. The Clippers starters came back early, and the Clips slowly pulled away again. To be honest, the game never really seemed in doubt, just because <span>Chris Paul</span> was the best player all evening and it was hard to believe he would let the Clippers lose. Every time the Knicks were close he would drain a three or find DJ under the basket or get the ball to JJ in his sweet spot. The Clippers finally put together a few complete possessions at the end of the game, converting on open looks and shutting the Knicks down on the other end. They would hold on to win 101-94.</p>
<p><b>Game Notes:</b></p>
<p><b><span>Jeff Green</span> Gets Time: </b>With Blake Griffin, Luc Mbah a Moute, and <span>Paul Pierce</span> all out, the forward positions were very thin tonight for the Clips, and the result was Jeff Green earning 45 minutes. He played pretty well in the first half and had 15 points before the break, but then only put in two more the rest of the way. The other reason he played so much was that Wes was in foul trouble most of the game, and Green was the only real other option on Carmelo. He did a mostly admirable job on that end: he isn't the greatest defender, but he put in effort on Melo and made him work for looks. He even made a nice assist out of the post to hit an open 3 point shooter. All in all, perhaps his finest overall game as a Clipper.</p>
<p><b>Dual Big Lineup Is Played: </b>Because of the thinness at the forward position (and the Clippers' lack of big men), Doc played <span>Cole Aldrich</span> and <span>DeAndre Jordan</span> together tonight. For substantial minutes. It was an intriguing tactic to cover the Clips' weakness on the glass, but it didn't really work. Two big men without range killed spacing on offense, and Cole was a hacking machine on the other end, fouling out in just 23 minutes. This lineup probably won't see daylight again: Pierce and Luc should be back soon, therefore eliminating any need for Cole to play the '4'.</p>
<p><b>Battle for the Boards: </b>The Clippers once again had issues on the glass (leading to the above lineup), but this time were able to counter with a bunch of offensive rebounds of their own. Cole and DJ each snagged four, and the Clips got a few nice second chance buckets from them. However, Robin Lopez was absolutely everywhere on the boards, pulling down 10 offensive rebounds (and 19 total), many of which were easy putbacks. The Clips seemingly decided that the best defense was a good offense in this game, and instead of trying for defensive rebounds or boxing out went for boards on the other end. That is all well and good against the Knicks, but a team like the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> (or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a>, obviously) will rip you apart on the boards to the point where victory is nigh impossible. The Clips need to sharpen up on the glass, Blake or no Blake.</p>
<p><b>When JJ's Shot is Off....: </b>Redick ended up with a solid statline but was off for most of the night, and it was a horrible look for the Clippers. Obviously it is important he make shots: it was just scary to see how bad the overall shooting is when he isn't draining bombs and punishing defenses. Nobody else on the roster is a consistent threat from deep (CP can be, though that isn't his game), especially at any high volume. The Clippers actually shot well on the night (again, largely due to CP3), but teams just don't respect Jeff Green or Wes from out there (much less Luc). If the Clippers want to make any sort of noise in the playoffs, J.J. Redick must be "Bae Bae Redick" just about night in and night out.</p>
<p><b>Another Look at Kristaps: </b>The big Latvian had an off night from the field, shooting just 6-17 and only grabbing four rebounds in 31 minutes. On the other hand, he pulled a legit crossover dribble on DJ, got to the hoop several times with some nifty looks, and made an incredible layup where he ducked under a defender. He needs to bulk up and improve his rebounding and shooting, but he can do things no other big man (outside of maybe Karl Anthony Towns in Minny) can do.</p>
<p><b>Upcoming Schedule: </b>The Clippers have a brutal stretch ahead of them. They play at home against Cleveland for a Sunday matinee and then complete three games in four nights with a back to back in San Antonio and Houston. They have a nice break after that, then travel to Memphis and New Orleans. Finally, they play another back to back at Golden State (final matchup of the regular season) and home vs Portland. A 5-2 record in those seven games would be fantastic, and even 4-3 wouldn't be too bad. The biggest game will be beating Memphis just in case their incredibly odd hot streak threatens home court advantage and the 4 seed. Hopefully a win over San Antonio and/or Golden State can give the Clips some much needed confidence going into the playoffs, where a 2nd round matchup against one of those teams (if they win the 1st of course) is almost a certainty.</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2016/3/11/11210778/clips-edge-out-knicks-101-94Robert Flom2016-03-11T19:30:03-08:002016-03-11T19:30:03-08:00New York Knicks at Los Angeles Clippers: Game Thread
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<figcaption>Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After getting systematically beaten down in Oklahoma City by the Thunder on Wednesday, the Clippers return home Friday for a contest against the mediocre Knicks.</p> <table align="center" cellpadding="5" border="1" cellspacing="5" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table"><tbody> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver">2015/2016 NBA Regular Season</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><img alt="Qq6jhhi515f6i5d38errfwyr1_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/89514/qq6jhhi515f6i5d38errfwyr1_medium.gif"></center></td> <th align="center" width="20">at</th> <td width="240"><center><figure class="e-image"><span> <figure class="e-image">
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</span></figure></center></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><strong>27-39</strong></center></td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240"><center><strong>41-22</strong></center></td> </tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>March 11th, 2016, 7:30 PM (PST)</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Staples Center, LA California</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Prime Ticket, NBA TV, KWKW 1330 AM</strong></td></tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver">Win-Loss Breakdown</th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>17-25</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">East</th> <td width="240"><strong>19-7</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>10-14</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">West</th> <td width="240"><strong>22-15</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>16-18</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">Home</th> <td width="240"><strong>21-11</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>11-21</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">Road</th> <td width="240"><strong>20-11</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>12-28</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">.500+</th> <td width="240"><strong>19-17</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>15-11</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">.500-</th> <td width="240"><strong>22-5</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>4-6</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">L10</th> <td width="240"><strong>6-4</strong></td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Probable Starters</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong><span>Jose Calderon</span></strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240"><strong><span>Chris Paul</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong><span>Sasha Vujacic</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>Carmelo Anthony</span></strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240"><strong><span>Jeff Green</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Kristaps Porzingis</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240"><strong><span>W</span>es Johnson</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Robin Lopez</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><strong><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Advanced Stats</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>95.96 (25th of 30)</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">Pace</th> <td width="240"><strong>98.55 (13th of 30)</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>102.7 (16th of 30)</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th> <td width="240"><strong>106.2 (6th of 30)</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><strong>105.0 (20th of 30)</strong></td> <th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th> <td width="240"><strong>100.5 (6th of 30)</strong></td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Injuries/Other</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><p><span>Lance Thomas</span> (knee) <strong>out</strong></p></td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240"> <span>Blake Griffin</span> (hand) <strong>out</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">Aaron Afflalo (abdomen) <strong>doubtful</strong> </td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240">Luc Mbah a Moute (eye) <strong>out</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"></td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240">Paul Pierce (toe) <strong>out</strong> </td> </tr> <tr><th bgcolor="silver" height="20" colspan="3"></th></tr> </tbody></table>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph2"><strong>The Back Story (<a data-ref-index="16" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> lead the season series 1-0):</strong></p>
<table class="sbn-data-table" border="0"><tbody> <tr class="ui-state-even"> <td><strong>Date</strong></td> <td><strong>Venue</strong></td> <td><strong>Final</strong></td> <td><strong></strong></td> <td><strong></strong></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-odd"> <td><strong>1/22/2016</strong></td> <td><strong>Madison Square Garden, NY</strong></td> <td> <strong>Clippers 116, <a data-ref-index="17" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">Knicks</a> 8</strong><strong>8</strong> </td> <td><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20160122/LACNYK/gameinfo.html" data-ref-index="18">Recap</a></td> <td><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20160122/LACNYK/gameinfo.html" data-ref-index="19">Box Score</a></td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<p>Luc Mbah a Moute is out for a fifth game with an eye injury, and Paul Pierce will sit this one out after injuring his toe. Wes Johnson will be starting alongside Jeff Green in their stead. Go Clips!</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2016/3/11/11210366/new-york-knicks-at-los-angeles-clippers-game-threadRobert Flom2016-03-11T08:00:02-08:002016-03-11T08:00:02-08:00Clippers vs. Knicks Preview: Rebound Game
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<figcaption>Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After getting systematically beaten down in Oklahoma City by the Thunder on Wednesday, the Clippers return home Friday for a contest against the mediocre Knicks.</p> <p> </p>
<p> </p>
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<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">2015/2016 NBA Regular Season</th>
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<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><center style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/89514/qq6jhhi515f6i5d38errfwyr1_medium.gif" alt="Qq6jhhi515f6i5d38errfwyr1_medium" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">at</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><center style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"> <figure class="e-image">
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<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><center style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b>27-39</b></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><br style="line-height: 0.75em; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"></th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><center style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b>41-22</b></center></td>
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<td bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">March 11th, 2016, 7:30 PM (PST)</b></td>
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<td colspan="3" align="center" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Staples Center, LA California</b></td>
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<td colspan="3" align="center" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">NBA TV, KWKW 1330 AM</b></td>
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<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">Win-Loss Breakdown</th>
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<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">17-25</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">East</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b>19-7</b></td>
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<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b>10-14</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">West</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b>22-15</b></td>
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<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b>16-18</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">Home</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b>21-11</b></td>
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<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">11-21</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">Road</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b>20-11</b></td>
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<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">12-28</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">.500+</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b>19-17</b></td>
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<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b>15-11</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">.500-</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b>22-5</b></td>
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<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b>4-6</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">L10</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b>6-4</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Probable Starters</b></th>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b><span>Jose Calderon</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">PG</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b><span>Chris Paul</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b><span>Sasha Vujacic</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">SG</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b><span>J.J. Redick</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b><span>Carmelo Anthony</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">SF</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b><span>Jeff Green</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><span>Kristaps Porzingis</span></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">PF</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b><span>Paul Pierce</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><span>Robin Lopez</span></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">C</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Advanced Stats</b></th>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-align: start;">95.96 (25th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">Pace</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">98.55 (13th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-align: start;">102.7 (16th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">ORtg</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">106.2 (6th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-align: start;">105.0 (20th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">DRtg</th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">100.5 (6th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Injuries/Other</b></th>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; text-align: right;">
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span>Lance Thomas</span> (knee) <b>out</b></p>
</td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><br style="line-height: 0.75em; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"></th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">
<span>Blake Griffin</span> (hand) <b>out</b>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">Aaron Afflalo (abdomen) <b>doubtful</b>
</td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><br style="line-height: 0.75em; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"></th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;">Luc Mbah a Moute (eye) <b>questionable</b>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td width="240" align="right" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><br style="line-height: 0.75em;"></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><br style="line-height: 0.75em;"></th>
<td width="240" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"><br style="line-height: 0.75em;"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<th colspan="3" height="20" bgcolor="silver" style="cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa;"></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p id="paragraph1" class="pgh-paragraph" style="margin: 1em 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">The Back Story (<a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" data-ref-index="20" style="color: #27599b; text-decoration: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: transparent;">Clippers</a> lead the season series 1-0):</b></p>
<table border="0" class="sbn-data-table" style="cursor: default; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; 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; width: 703px; border: 6px solid #ccd1d5; text-align: center; line-height: 1.125em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 13px; color: #292929;">
<tbody style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<tr class="ui-state-even" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Date</b></td>
<td style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Venue</b></td>
<td style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Final</b></td>
<td style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><br style="line-height: 0.75em; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"></b></td>
<td style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><br style="line-height: 0.75em; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"></b></td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-odd" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; background: #e4e9ed;"><b>1/22/2016</b></td>
<td style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; background: #e4e9ed;"><b>Madison Square Garden, NY</b></td>
<td style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; background: #e4e9ed;">
<b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Clippers 116, <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" data-ref-index="21" style="color: #27599b; text-decoration: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: transparent;">Knicks</a> 8</b><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">8</b>
</td>
<td style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; background: #e4e9ed;"><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20160122/LACNYK/gameinfo.html">Recap</a></td>
<td style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 8px; line-height: 16px; cursor: text; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; background: #e4e9ed;"><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20160122/LACNYK/gameinfo.html">Box Score</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Big Picture: </b>After Wednesday night's loss to the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> the Clippers now find themselves 2.5 games back of the number 3 seed as well as down a tiebreak. With only 19 games left in the season, and with a very difficult stretch of games coming up, the 3 seed looks about out of reach. The <a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Memphis Grizzlies</a> are in the five spot and three and a half games behind the Clippers, but four and a half ahead of Portland. Basically, it looks like another Clippers-Grizzlies series is all but destined to happen, this time with the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Golden State Warriors</a> looming scarily in the 2nd round. When Luc Mbah a Moute comes back (which should be soon) the Clippers will be fully healthy minus one Blake Griffin. Sadly, he still hasn't begun contact yet, and his return is therefore at least a couple weeks away in all likelihood.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Antagonist: </b>The New York Knicks came into the season with playoff aspirations, hopes which were only boosted by a decent start and the play of their star rookie Kristaps Porzingis. Unfortunately they completely collapsed in the month before the All Star break, a collapse actually started by the Clippers. There were 22-22 before that game and have a 5-17 record since. Carmelo Anthony has been in and out of the lineup with various maladies, Porzingis hit the rookie wall, and somewhere along the way second year coach <span>Derek Fisher</span> was fired. Even more unfortunately for the Knicks, Fisher (a below average coach by all accounts) was replaced by none other than <span>Kurt Rambis</span> (one of the worst coaches in the last decade by all accounts). The Knicks continued their malaise after Fisher's firing, and while they have won two of their last three, they now sit in the 13th spot in the Eastern Conference and are 7 games out of the playoffs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Metrics: </b>While the Clippers have had some up and down performances recently, they continue to rate as one of the better teams in the NBA, placing 6th in both offensive and defensive rating and 5th in Net Rating. The Knicks, on the other hand, are a paragon of mediocrity, placing almost smack in the middle offensively, and at the poor end of average defensively. The Knicks also play at one of the slowest paces in the NBA, partially because they like to run the triangle and post up, and partially because they have the oldest starting point guard in the NBA (Jose Calderon at 34). The Knicks have talent offensively but lack depth and shot creators, especially at the guard positions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Three Six Latvia (Kristaps Porzingis): </b>Porzingis was accumulating a ton of buzz earlier in the season, generating a host of nicknames, memes, and threats of bodily harm on <span>Phil Jackson</span> were he ever to part with the rookie. He has somewhat dropped off in the last month or so, though perhaps the lack of attention is due more to the Knicks plummeting in the standings than anything else. Kristaps is a good shooter, and should only improve as he becomes more adjusted to the NBA and builds up some strength. The most surprising aspect of his play has been rebounding and defense. He was a horrible rebounder in Europe, yet has averaged 7.3 in just 27.7 minutes of play. Not bad Kristaps. His height and ridiculous length makes him a huge bother on defense, and his ability to contest shots is stunning. Hopefully he doesn't light up Pierce or Green too badly in the post.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Knicks Still Need a Point Guard, What Else is New: </b>As mentioned above, the Knicks start the oldest point guard in the league in Calderon. In the past few years he has declined from one of the more underrated players in the NBA to non-threatening spot up shooter. He is also an even worse defender than he was before, a truly incredible achievement. <span>Jerian Grant</span> was one of my favorite prospects in last years draft, and he has shown some flashes this year, but he hasn't been able to shoot at all. He has attempted over twice as many free throws as Calderon in around half as many minutes, and it might be a good plan to start him soon as the Knicks' playoff hopes finally dissipate. <span>Langston Galloway</span> was a true gem from the undrafted free agent pile last year, but he hasn't improved much and appears to be more of a two guard. The Knicks, therefore, continue to be vastly outmatched every game at the point guard position, just as they have been almost every year I can remember (outside of one glorious half season of Ray Felton under Mike D'Antoni).</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Rebounds, Rebounds: </b>This literally needs to be a "rebound" game for the Clippers. The Thunder outrebounded them by 23 and allowed only two offensive rebounds, both when the game was out of reach. DJ had a season low for rebounds with only seven, so expect him to be a beast on the boards tonight. The rebounding woes would be much helped by the return of Blake, but guys like Jeff Green and Paul Pierce simply have to get more rebounds. Robin Lopez is one of the better offensive rebounders in the NBA, and both Porzingis and Carmelo can rake in boards as well. The Clips need to hit the glass hard and box out.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Knicks are Starting Sasha Vujacic!: </b>The year is 2016 and Vujacic is somehow not only in the NBA, but starting. Rambis likes him for his pesky and aggressive defense. The only issue is that he isn't good. Like at all. Even with his out-of-this-world 23 point explosion against the <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Suns</a> on Wednesday Sasha is only averaging 3.7 points per game on 34% shooting. Oh, and his aggressive defense leads to frequent blow-by's. J.J. Redick should have a field day.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Knicks aren't awful, but they aren't good either, and the Clippers are at home after a bad loss. This shouldn't be close. Go Clips!</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2016/3/11/11194738/clippers-vs-knicks-preview-rebound-gameRobert Flom2015-03-25T19:53:14-07:002015-03-25T19:53:14-07:00The Return of Lob City: Clips Beat Knicks 111-80
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lsrZeHRSGiEOOJItkYePSgqIspI=/0x9:1228x828/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45982406/usa-today-8475394.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In front of the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, the Clippers put on quite the show, blowing out the Knicks and living up to their Lob City nickname.</p> <p>Remember when people kept saying the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> weren't fun to watch anymore?</p>
<p>Having gone from Lob City media darlings with the arrival of CP3, the Clippers have tried their best to ditch the moniker and trade style for substance, and most importantly for wins. Tonight was one of the rare occasions this season when the Clippers were able to combine both personas, getting the win while charming the crowd with their high-wire acrobatics. Someone must've told the Clipper players that they were filming scenes for the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie at the game, because they seemed intent on putting on a show. While some blowouts can be boring, though this game was over by halftime, it continued to entertain through the rest of the third; it's not often that one can say that a 31 point victory doesn't capture how thoroughly outmatched the opponent was.</p>
<p>In the preview, for this game, I called it a business game. Going up against the worst team in the league, there could be no room for excuses or an unexpected loss with each game having great importance for playoff seeding, and thus the Clippers simply needed to take care of business. As for how they lived up to my expectations? I would call it a little more business casual. From the outset, it was clear the Clippers were able to get any shot they wanted on the offensive end, leading to a stunning foray of monster jams off fast break dunks and alley oops. But it also lead to a little bit of sloppiness as the Clippers sometimes overpassed trying to make the highlight play or get everyone involved. Blake attempted to recreate the Mozgov dunk about three times tonight to no avail and <span>Chris Paul</span> had an uncharacteristic 5 turnovers trying to make the fancy assist. Despite all of this, the Clippers still had plenty of highlights, with DJ almost filling ESPN's Top Plays himself. Being guarded by <span>Lou Amundson</span> for a majority of the game, DeAndre simply seemed like a man among boys. DJ had 6 emphatic, "MONSTER JAMS" throughout the game whether off of alley oops, fast breaks, or posterizing <span>Jason Smith</span> avenging Blake Griffin. Going along with his above the rim acrobatics, DJ also blocked 5 shots and snared 10 rebounds, all in 28 minutes of play.</p>
<p>In keeping with outstanding Clipper performances, it's difficult to pick out any one player. Chris Paul had an amazing double double of 11 points and 16 assists in 28 minutes and Barnes continued his hot streak hitting 3 from deep. Watching Redick in the last couple of games seems like examining a fine piece of art as he dizzies defenses with his deft off ball movement and supreme confidence that he's accidentally been stuck on NBA JAM's fire mode, scoring 17 points tonight on 6 of 9 shooting. Incredibly, all of the starters were over 30 in +/- for the game.Even the bench performed reasonably well with <span>Austin Rivers</span> ending up as the game high scorer going 9-10 scoring 21 points. Spenser Hawes even inspired a little bit of confidence as he made a couple of shots, but most importantly made definitive moves without hesitation to score. (I so badly wanted Hawes to have a terrific game so I could say he played hawesomely).</p>
<p>On the other side of the ball, defensively the Clippers seem like they should get a lot of credit any time you can hold an opponent to sub 30% shooting and scoring only 54 points through 3 quarters, but honestly I'm not quite sure if it was good defense by the Clippers or just tragically horrible offense by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">Knicks</a>. At times, the Clippers seemed to dial up the defensive pressure and suffocate the Knicks getting steals and easy fast break points, and at other times the Knicks just made idiotic passes and unforced errors in turning the ball over. It wasn't until garbage time in the fourth that any Knick outside of <span>Cleanthony Early</span> and occasionally <span>Ricky Ledo</span> was able to take the lid off the basket and make a shot. Without Carmelo Anthony the Knicks have been the worst offense in the league, and that was painfully on display tonight.</p>
<p>This was a game the Clippers had to win to keep pace in the standings and put pressure on the other Western Conference teams ahead of them tonight. (As I'm writing this Houston won, Memphis lost, and Portland is losing to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Jazz</a> at the end of the 3rd) Los Angeles simply had too much talent for the overmatched Knicks squad, and were able to blow them out with style, earning their starters some extra rest. This same type of game is needed Friday as the Clippers continue their road trip and win streak against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">76ers</a>.</p>
<p>A Few Ending Notes:</p>
<p>No one needed to watch the 4th quarter, as it was just filled with end of the bench guys getting some reps in front of thousands of people. If you did watch however, some interesting notes was that CJ Wilcox continues to look like an NBA player with a fast release and silky jumper and <span>Jordan Hamilton</span> was running point for the Clippers, showing more ball handling and play making than I expected.</p>
<p>Lastly, though Blake had a few big highlight plays, overall he didn't look good tonight. He shot 3 for 8 overall with two of his field goals being dunks and the other being a layup. When he got the ball in the post, he was constantly bothered by Bargnani's length and was ineffective in any move he tried. Blake doesn't look 100% healthy yet, and part of that seemed to be a lack of strength to bully and move people in the post like he normally does, but he said he should be fully back by next Tuesday against Golden State. A couple more games like this can help him shake the rust off.</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2015/3/25/8293391/the-return-of-lob-city-clippers-beat-knicks-111-80g000sely2015-03-25T15:45:02-07:002015-03-25T15:45:02-07:00Clippers-Knicks Open Thread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/S0jNCIf7NXGrweyYK1YnDKfkjAM=/0x0:1723x1149/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45975604/usa-today-8305101.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Cheer on the Clippers as they try for 5 straight against the Knicks!</p> <table align="center" cellpadding="5" border="1" cellspacing="5" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver">2014/2015 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 alt="Qq6jhhi515f6i5d38errfwyr1_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/89514/qq6jhhi515f6i5d38errfwyr1_medium.gif"></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><b>46-25</b></center></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><center><b>14-57</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><b>March 25t, 2015, 4:00 PM (PST)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>Madison Square Garden</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>Prime Ticket, 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>16-11</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">East</th>
<td width="240"><b>8-34</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b>30-14</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">West</th>
<td width="240"><b>6-23</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b>27-10</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">Home</th>
<td width="240"><b>9-25</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b>19-15</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">Road</th>
<td width="240"><b>5-32</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b>19-20</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">.500+</th>
<td width="240"><b>5-28</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b>27-5</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">.500-</th>
<td width="240"><b>9-29</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b>6-4</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">L10</th>
<td width="240"><b>2-8</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>Langston Galloway</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b><span>J.J. Redick</span></b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">SG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Alexey Shved</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>Lance Thomas</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>Lou Amundson</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>Andrea Bargnani</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; ">96.80 (11th of 30)</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">Pace</th>
<td width="240"><b>93.38 (28th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b style="text-align: start; ">109.3 (2nd of 30)</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>97.6 (29rd of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b style="text-align: start; ">103.5 (19th of 30)</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>107.4 (29th 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" style="text-align: right;"><b><span>Jamal Crawford</span> (calf) out</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Alexey Shved</span> (ribs) probable</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><b><span>Nate Robinson</span> (knee) questionable</b></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Carmelo Anthony</span> (knee) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><br></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Jose Calderon</span> (achilles) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><br></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b>Tim Hardaway Jr. (wrist) questionable</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><br></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Cleanthony Early</span> (ankle) probable</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" width="240"><br></td>
<th align="center" width="20"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Travis Wear</span> (back) questionable</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" height="20" colspan="3"></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Back Story (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> lead the season series 1-0):</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>12/31/14</b></td>
<td><b>Los Angeles</b></td>
<td>
<b>Clippers 99, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">Knicks</a> </b><b>78</b>
</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2014/12/31/7476601/clippers-bomb-knicks-99-78/in/7240348"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20141231/NYKLAC/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2015/3/25/8287475/clippers-knicks-open-threadg000sely2015-03-25T01:54:56-07:002015-03-25T01:54:56-07:00Clippers-Knicks Preview: Respect the Game
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9D_iUVd7qIRCWttJi_QBdsBMD34=/0x50:2480x1703/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45975228/usa-today-8305041.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Clippers are looking to continue their win streak and build some playoff momentum by taking care of business against the worst team in the league.</p> <table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" cellpadding="5" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">2014/2015 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><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/89514/qq6jhhi515f6i5d38errfwyr1_medium.gif" alt="Qq6jhhi515f6i5d38errfwyr1_medium"></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><b>46-25</b></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><center><b>14-57</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>March 25t, 2015, 4:00 PM (PST)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>Madison Square Garden</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>Prime Ticket, 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>16-11</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">East</th>
<td width="240"><b>8-34</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>30-14</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">West</th>
<td width="240"><b>6-23</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>27-10</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Home</th>
<td width="240"><b>9-25</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>19-15</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Road</th>
<td width="240"><b>5-32</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>19-20</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500+</th>
<td width="240"><b>5-28</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>27-5</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500-</th>
<td width="240"><b>9-29</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>6-4</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">L10</th>
<td width="240"><b>2-8</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>Langston Galloway</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>J.J. Redick</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Alexey Shved</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>Lance Thomas</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><span><b>Blake Griffin</b></span></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Lou Amundson</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><span><b>DeAndre Jordan</b></span></td>
<th width="20" align="center">C</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Andrea Bargnani</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; ">96.80 (11th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Pace</th>
<td width="240"><b>93.38 (28th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">109.3 (2nd of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">ORtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>97.6 (29rd of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">103.5 (19th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">DRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>107.4 (29th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Injuries/Other</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;" width="240" align="right"><b><span>Jamal Crawford</span> (calf) out</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Alexey Shved</span> (ribs) probable</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Nate Robinson</span> (knee) questionable</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Carmelo Anthony</span> (knee) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><br></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Jose Calderon</span> (achilles) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><br></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b>Tim Hardaway Jr. (wrist) questionable</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><br></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Cleanthony Early</span> (ankle) probable</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><br></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Travis Wear</span> (back) questionable</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th colspan="3" height="20" bgcolor="silver"></th>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Back Story (<a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a> lead the season series 1-0):</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>12/31/14</b></td>
<td><b>Los Angeles</b></td>
<td>
<b>Clippers 99, <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a> </b><b>78</b>
</td>
<td><a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2014/12/31/7476601/clippers-bomb-knicks-99-78/in/7240348" target="_blank"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20141231/NYKLAC/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore" target="_blank"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Big Picture:</b></p>
<p>This is a business game for the Clippers. Facing one of the easier seven game stretches of the season and on a four game win streak, the Clippers should have no trouble against the Knicks tonight as long as they don't take a win for granted and play down to their competition. Too many times this season the Clippers have suffered heartbreaking losses against teams they should have beaten, the last time they played in New York against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a> comes to mind, and they simply cannot allow that to happen against the team with the worst record in the association. At this point in the season, every game matters in determining playoff seedings in a highly competitive Western Conference, and the Clippers can't afford any hiccups. With Portland's loss last night, while the Clippers remain in the 5th seed due to division leader rules, the Clippers have a better record than the Blazers and lie only 1.5 games back from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a> for the 3rd seed, two back in the loss column. Having benefited from two days of rest, and likely some needed practice time, it would be nice to see Blake Griffin continue rounding into his dominant form; the Knicks always seem to bring out his best. This should be an easy win for the Clippers if they come ready to play.</p>
<p><b>The Antagonist:</b></p>
<p>To be blunt, the Knicks are terrible. They have the worst record in the NBA, quite honestly resemble a D-League team in the assemblage of characters they are playing each night; whenever Alexey Shved is the last person announced in your starting lineup to get the crowd going, you know you have a major problem. Almost all of the Knicks noteworthy, or simply recognizable players, have either been traded away, <span>J.R. Smith</span> and Iman Shumpert, or lost to injury, Carmelo Anthony and Jose Calderon. While these Knicks come in on a four game losing streak, and have lost 11 of their past 13, just one week ago they did beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> at home in an overtime thriller. As Popovich chided his team for "not respecting" the opponent or the game, the Knicks have shown through some bright play by <span>Langston Galloway</span> and Alexey Shved that they are capable of an upset and cannot simply be overlooked as an easy win. All that being said, the Knicks should prove unable to keep up with the high-powered offense of the Clippers. </p>
<p><b>The Subplots</b></p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Comparison of key metrics.</b> The Clippers play at a much faster pace than the Knicks and will look to push the ball and get out in transition, especially as the Knicks are near the bottom 10 in coughing up turnovers. Offensively and defensively, the Clippers are far superior to the Knicks, though there is an immense gulf between the two teams scoring capabilities with the Clippers second and the Knicks second to last.</li>
<li> <b>Making a Run.</b> As Clipper Steve pointed out in an earlier post, the Clippers, having just escaped the Gauntlet, have an much easier remaining schedule in comparison to other Western Conference contenders jockeying for playoff seeding. Looking at the the upcoming road trip, the Clippers play the Knicks tonight, then the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">76ers</a>, and finally a scrappy potential playoff team in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a>. These are all games the Clippers should win, and the road has been a place to build momentum earlier in the season for this team. Going into the showdown with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a> on March 31st, the Clippers should be riding a 7 game win streak and playing with a ton of confidence.</li>
<li> <b>Clipper Starters.</b> While much can be said about the dismal bench of the Clippers, what cannot be denied is that their starting unit is elite. The Clippers starting five has logged the most minutes out of any 5-man unit in the NBA so far at 962, despite major injury to Blake Griffin and Matt Barnes being in and out of the lineup, and are the second best taking into account net rating behind only the Warriors. With Griffin out, DeAndre Jordan channeled his inner Wilt Chamberlin/Bill Russell spirit and posted ridiculous numbers, Chris Paul took it up to another MVP caliber gear, and J.J. Redick has shouldered the burden of heavy minutes while doing his best human torch impersonation. Matt Barnes is still the Clippers best wing defender and happens to be shooting 38% from deep on the season, and over 40% since the All-Star break. Adding to all of this is the second best power forward in the NBA, and a top ten player overall. I don't feel shy about saying that if healthy, this starting five can compete with anyone in the playoffs.</li>
<li> <b>Life Without Melo.</b> After the All-Star break Carmelo Anthony chose to shut it down for the season in order to undergo surgery to clean up a wobbly knee that had been plaguing him all season. With Carmelo, the Knicks were bad this year and in addition to trading off J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, there seemed to be no reason left to log additional miles on Melo's aging body. Say what you will about Carmelo as a player, but the one thing he can do is score. Taking Melo out of the lineup though has made the Knicks's offense go from bad to terrible. Since February 18th, the Knicks are averaging a league worst 93.5 offensive rating and are posting an appalling negative 13.1 net rating. To put that in perspective, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Timberwolves</a> have the second worst net rating at -6.2, meaning the Knicks are two times worse than the next worse team. Leaving all stats aside, when a team is primary counting on Alexey Shved and Langston Galloway to be your primary scorers, putting points on the board is an inevitable struggle. </li>
<li> <b>Going Downs for Towns</b> In 1985 the NBA held the first "lottery" draft and the Knicks were lucky enough (unless you are a frozen envelope conspiracy theorist) to land the first pick in the draft. They chose the consensus number one player and eventual Hall of Fame player <span>Patrick Ewing</span>, whom helped turn the franchise around and lead them to the 1994 Finals. The Knicks appear to be trying to recreate history this year as they are successfully tanking with the worst record in the association, hoping to land the number one pick in the 2015 draft with which they can take another hopefully franchise center in either Karl-Anthony Towns from Kentucky or Jahlil Okafor from Duke. Knicks fans are betting on the future; hoping to hit big in free agency while also adding a superstar rookie, finally give some support to Carmelo Anthony and making the franchise relevant again. </li>
<li> <b>Kerr Could Haves.</b> Remember when it seemed like a forgone conclusion that Steve Kerr was going to the Knicks this summer because of his tutelage under <span>Phil Jackson</span>? Instead Kerr chose to go to Golden State and coach what is now the team with the best record in the NBA, likely winning him the coach of the year award, as well as the best start of any rookie coach. Meanwhile, <span>Derek Fisher</span> is the captain of the worst team in basketball, submarining at the bottom of the league. It seems pretty safe to say Kerr made the right coaching choice. </li>
<li> <b>Connections.</b> Jamal Crawford spent four-plus seasons in New York, his longest stint with any team in his rather well-traveled career. <span>Lou Amundson</span> was a Clipper training camp participant last season. Clippers assistant coach <span>Mike Woodson</span> coached the Knicks last season. Clippers coach <span>Doc Rivers</span> was traded from the Clippers to the Knicks in 1992 in a blockbuster deal that brought <span>Mark Jackson</span> to the Clippers.</li>
<li> <b>Get the Knicks perspective at </b><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/">Posting and Toasting</a>.</b> </li>
<li> <b>Wikipedia <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knickerbocker_glory" target="_blank">Knickerbocker Glory</a>. </b>A Knickerbocker glory is a very elaborate layered ice cream sundae served primarily in the United Kingdom. Starting in the 1930s, the treat goes well beyond a banana split and features many layers of ice cream, fruit, cream, and candies all placed in a tall glass topped with whipped cream, nuts, syrup, and often a cherry. "They ate in the zoo restaurant, and when Dudley had a tantrum because his knickerbocker glory wasn't big enough, Uncle Vernon bought him another one, and Harry was allowed to finish the first." – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone </li>
</ul>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2015/3/25/8287225/clippers-knicks-preview-respect-the-gameg000sely