Clippers Team Report

GETTING INSIDE

The Clippers looked as if they were going to fold once more against a team with a poor record Saturday at Philadelphia. However, they hung in and made the necessary plays on offense to get the win and move to 12-14 overall.

On Friday, the Clippers moved out to a huge lead against New York (8-15) by executing, but only during most of the first half. A lack of offensive precision in the second half may have cost the Clippers a victory.

But Saturday, the Clippers got huge shots from Al Thornton(notes) among others at critical moments, such as late in the fourth quarter and when the 76ers attempted to defend their tenuous advantage. It looked as if Thornton’s excitement inspired his teammates to stay the course and not give up once their opponent made a move to get back into the ballgame.

And in overtime, the offensive sets looked sharp and led to makeable shots for several players. The conversions were important, because it seemed that no one on the squad could slow down Philadelphia’s Marreese Speights(notes) (28 points in 35 minutes on a flurry of jumpers).

The Clippers will get the chance to show that Saturday’s effort wasn’t an aberration when they visit San Antonio on Monday. It will be the team’s fourth consecutive road game, and the Spurs previously defeated the Clippers 115-90 on Dec. 13 in Los Angeles.

Clippers 112, 76ers 107  (OT): The Clippers led most of the way and made a brace of clutch jumpers to pull out the road victory in overtime Saturday. Rasual Butler(notes) hit a huge 3-pointer in overtime to put the Clippers ahead to stay after misfiring on similar attempts earlier in the game.

NOTES, QUOTES

• F Al Thornton was a little slow to get up after running to catch up to Philadelphia’s Thaddeus Young(notes) to block a shot in the third quarter. Thornton looked OK, however, after walking along the baseline for a few moments. He ended up with 12 points and four rebounds in 39 minutes.

• G Baron Davis(notes) looked very comfortable on the offensive end. He was able to frequently penetrate into the lane and find open shots for himself or his teammates. He netted 20 points and dished out 13 assists.

Quote To Note:   “We had five games in seven days. We knew we had to come out tonight and be ready. We’ve got to come out ready in the third quarter.”—C Chris Kaman(notes), on how the team attempted to combat fatigue at Philadelphia.

ROSTER REPORT

Rotation:   Starters—Point guard Baron Davis, Shooting guard Guard Eric Gordon(notes), Small forward Al Thornton, Power forward Marcus Camby(notes), Center Chris Kaman. Bench—Guard/Forward Rasual Butler, Guard Sebastian Telfair(notes), Guard/Forward Mardy Collins(notes).

Player Notes:  

• G Sebastian Telfair played more than a few feet off of most of the Sixers he was matched against. He had four points and an assist in 11 minutes of action.

• G Eric Gordon used a nifty right-to-left crossover to get to the rim and draw a foul on Philadelphia’s Jrue Holiday(notes) in the third quarter. He scored 17 points.

• C Chris Kaman looked reactive, rather than instinctive, on defense. He drew referee whistles when he came late to plays and fouled out after producing 24 points and 11 boards.

Medical Watch:  

• G/F Kareem Rush(notes) (torn ACL in right knee) is out for the season.

• F Blake Griffin(notes) (stress fracture in left kneecap) has yet to play this season.