Clippers in the Playoffs beat Thunder at Staples Center
April 17th, 2012
With some help, the Los Angeles Clippers had already clinched their first playoff berth in five years before they tipped off against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Then they went out and earned it.
Nick Young scored 19 points off the bench, Blake Griffin added 17 and Randy Foye 13 to beat the Thunder 92-77 on Monday night.
“It is something that we’re happy about, but by no means is that all we want,” said Griffin, who like a lot of his teammates will be in the postseason for the first time. “That was one of our goals coming in, but it goes farther than that.”
Houston lost to Denver by three points earlier Monday night, ensuring the Clippers would end the second-longest active postseason drought in the league.
“I’m happy we can get Blake on TV in May,” DeAndre Jordan said.
Griffin had 11 rebounds and Jordan grabbed 12 in the Clippers’ fourth straight victory and 12th in their last 14 games. Their 38 wins are the most since the franchise had 40 in 2006-07.
“This is a great feeling,” said Paul, whose acquisition shortly before the lockout ended has played a key role in the Clippers’ changing fortunes. “We can celebrate it, be excited about it tonight but tomorrow we’re back at work.”
Mo Williams hit a 3-pointer for the Clippers’ first lead since they scored the game’s first basket. Eric Bledsoe came in for Paul and calmly ran the offense, feeding Williams and Young, who combined for 10 of their first 14 points.
“We’re one of the best second units in the league,” said Young, who joined the Clippers a month ago in a trade from Washington. “I’m excited. I was waiting for one of these type of games. To get it tonight against one of the league’s top teams was great.”
Griffin scored on back-to-back rim-rattling dunks that had the Clippers’ 32nd sellout crowd of the season on its feet roaring. Paul briefly came back in, but Williams and Foye made consecutive 3s to stretch their lead to 90-77, so the All-Star guard sat down again with the game in hand.
“We have enough offensive power to play with anybody, but our defense is what triggers us,” Paul said. “When we defend, we’re tough to guard.”
Foye dribbled out the final seconds with a smile on his face, although at the buzzer the Clippers did little more than smile and hug each other.
“We know that’s not the only thing we want,” Jordan said. “We still have a goal for this team, and this is just one of the steps towards it.”
The Clippers won the season series, 3-1. Clippers Vs Thunder Tickets were going for $50.00 to $450 a ticket for last nights game on CheapClippersTickets.com.
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Clippers shake the Hornets Nest
March 27th, 2012
L.A. Clippers 97, New Orleans 85
Monday, March 26, 2012 10:30 PM
Location - Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Officials - #26 Pat Fraher, #10 Ron Garretson, #28 Tommy Nunez Jr.
Attendance - 19060
CLIPPERS Vs HORNETS 97, 85: Chris Paul turned in a stronger effort against his former team this time with 25 points and 10 assists as host Los Angeles moved into sole possession of fourth place in the Western Conference.
Blake Griffin added 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting and chipped in seven rebounds and five assists for the Clippers, who lost at the Hornets last week.
Paul struggled to 16 points on 5-of-14 shooting in his return trip to New Orleans but seemed much more comfortable at the Staples Center, going 9 for 17 from the floor and committing only one turnover.
Turnovers were hard to avoid for the Hornets on Monday as the Western Conference’s worst team coughed the ball up 27 times en route to their third loss in four games.
The Clippers shot 57 percent from the floor in the first half to grab a 49-38 lead and put the game away in the third quarter. Paul scored 10 points during a 17-5 run to close the frame, giving Los Angeles a 74-55 edge heading into the final period.
Al-Farouq Aminu scored 15 points off the bench for New Orleans, which did not have a starter reach double figures.
GAME NOTEBOOK: One area where the Hornets had the advantage was on the glass, with a 38-23 rebounding margin. … Both teams shot 50 percent for the game (Los Angeles 37 for 74, New Orleans 31 for 62). … Nick Young scored 17 points for the Clippers, his highest total since joining the team.
Up Next?
Suns Vs Clippers play at the Los Angeles Staples Center on March 28th. We stock the largest assortment of Suns Vs Clippers Tickets on the web. You can puchase Clippers Tickets for all home and away games.
Clippers end losing streak against the Grizzlies
March 25th, 2012
L.A. Clippers 101, Memphis 85
Location
The Clippers may have saved head coach Vinny Del Negro’s job after rumors he has lost control of the team and his firing was imminent surfaced earlier this week.
Paul scored 19 points and adding 13 assists while Griffin threw down a game-high 20 points and had 10 rebounds. The former slam dunk champion brought the home crowd to its feet with a thunderous reverse jam in the fourth quarter.
Los Angeles seized control of the contest early, closing out the first quarter on a 12-0 run to lead 33-17. Randy Foye kept the momentum going by dropping nine of his 18 points in the third quarter to give the Clippers an 81-61 advantage heading into the final frame.
The Grizzlies, who were playing the first game of back-to-back contests, have lost three consecutive games. Zach Randolph led all Memphis scorers with 14 points.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Clippers guard Mo Williams (toe) didn’t play and is listed as day-to-day. … Griffin`s double-double was his 29th of the campaign. … Los Angeles has won four straight over Memphis.
Clippers Vs Grizzlies Tickets for this game sold out. Cheap Hornets Vs Clippers Tickets are available for the match up on the 26th at the Staples Center.
Preview Detroit At LA Clippers Sun March 18th Staples Center
March 18th, 2012
Pistons Vs Clippers
When: 3:30 PM ET, Sunday, March 18, 2012
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Tickets: Pistons Vs Clippers Tickets are still onsale and run from $45.00 to $350.00 a ticket.
THE STORY: The Los Angeles Clippers should think about asking the Los Angeles Lakers for a tutorial on how to hold serve at the Staples Center. The Clippers needed a late rally to defeat the woefully undermanned Houston Rockets on Saturday, giving them a chance to salvage their six-game homestand with a .500 record when the Detroit Pistons visit on Sunday. Detroit has won four of six and is coming off back-to-back 100-point games for the first time this season.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FSD, FSSD
ABOUT THE PISTONS (16-28): Although Detroit ranks 28th in the league in scoring, its offense has picked up noticeably in the past month. The Pistons have cracked 100 points seven times in their last 17 games after reaching the century mark only once in the first 27. During the eight-game streak in which Detroit has gone 5-3, Rodney Stuckey is averaging 25.1 points. Guard Brandon Knight seems to be regaining his long-range touch, burying four 3-pointers in Friday’s loss at Phoenix.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (25-18): After scoring only two points and sleepwalking through the first half, Chris Paul came alive to rescue Los Angeles on Saturday. Paul scored 12 points in the final 2:42, including 10 straight to help the Clippers erase a six-point deficit. Paul tied a season high with five steals and finished with 23 points, matching his output in the opener of the five-game homestand. In his previous three games, he had scored a total of 39 points.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Nick Young, acquired from Washington at the trade deadline, could suit up Sunday but is expected to make his Clippers debut Tuesday.
2. Knight leads NBA rookies with 67 3-pointers. He needs three more to pass Lindsay Hunter for the team rookie record.
PREDICTION: Clippers 102, Pistons 97
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Suns to bright for Clippers
March 16th, 2012
SUNS Vs CLIPPERS 91, 87: Shannon Brown hit the go-ahead free throws as part of a season-high 21-point effort as visiting Phoenix rallied past Los Angeles at the Staples Center.
Channing Frye added 12 points as the Suns overcame a 12-point, fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Clippers for the 13th time in 14 meetings.
Blake Griffin scored 25 points for Los Angeles, which fell 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Lakers in the Pacific Division.
Phoenix has won nine of its last 12 games, the latest victory coming as veterans Steve Nash and Grant Hill were rested for the middle contest of a stretch of three games in three nights.
Brown hit two free throws with 1:33 left to give the Suns an 89-87 lead. He added two more free throws with 6.3 seconds remaining.
Phoenix trailed 75-64 entering the final quarter and fell behind by 12 before rolling off 10 consecutive points. The Suns eventually tied the score at 84 on two free throws by Jared Dudley with 2:52 left.
The Clippers led by 12 points after the opening quarter and used a 10-0 run to take a 47-30 lead with 2 1/2 minutes left in the second. Griffin scored three straight baskets during the run.
Phoenix roared back with nine straight points to end the half down 47-39.
Caron Butler added 14 points for the Clippers.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Clippers guard Chris Paul had 10 points and 11 assists for his 11th double-double of the season … Frye had four of Phoenix’s nine 3-pointers … Los Angeles was just 5 of 12 from the free-throw line … Sebastian Telfair started for Nash and had seven points and eight assists.
March 17th the Clippers take on the new look Derek Fisher and the Houston Rockets at the Staples Center. You can purchase Houston Rockets Vs Los Angeles Clippers Tickets.
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Suns back at the Clippers
March 15th, 2012
Preview: Phoenix At L.A. Clippers
When: 10:30 PM ET, Thursday, March 15, 2012
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
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THE STORY: The Phoenix Suns look for their ninth victory in 12 games when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers. The hot stretch is giving Phoenix a chance to make a run at one of the final Western Conference playoff spots. The Suns beat one of the other candidates in the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. Los Angeles is two games behind the Los Angeles Lakers in the Pacific Division after defeating the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona (Phoenix), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE SUNS (20-22): Guard Jared Dudley had 21 points against Utah to continue his recent stretch of strong offensive performances. Dudley has three 20-point outings over the last seven games, including a season-high 28 against Minnesota on Monday. Dudley is averaging 19.9 points over the last seven games but deflects credit. “We’re firing on all cylinders offensively,” Dudley said. “We’re being unselfish and looking for guys who are hot.” Dudley had 22 points when the Suns beat the Clippers earlier this month.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (24-17): Los Angeles is attempting to emerge from its roughest stretch of the season. The victory over Atlanta was just its fifth in 13 games and was the first in three games during a six-game homestand that runs through Sunday. Backup guards Mo Williams with 25 points and Eric Bledsoe with 14 points were the high scorers against Atlanta as Chris Paul (13) and Blake Griffin (12) combined for just 25 between them. “It was a must-win,” Williams said. “We put a lot of pressure on ourselves for this game because we needed it really bad.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Phoenix has won 12 of the last 13 meetings, including an 81-78 victory on March 2.
2. Paul has at least one steal in 45 consecutive games.
3. Channing Frye scored 26 points and Marcin Gortat tallied 25 in the victory over the Jazz.
PREDICTION: Clippers 92, Suns 86.
Preview Timberwolves At LA Clippers February 28 2012
February 28th, 2012
Preview: Minnesota At L.A. Clippers
When: 10:30 PM ET, Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
THE STORY: Minnesota, one game out of a playoff spot, begins the second set of three games in three nights when it meets the Clippers in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The game features two of the best young All-Stars in the league. Kevin Love (25 points, 14 rebounds) and Blake Griffin (21.4 points, 11.4 rebounds) are the only players averaging at least 21 points and 11 rebounds. Minnesota is 46-41 all-time against the Clippers, and the 46 wins is its most against any opponent.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS North (Timberwolves), FS Prime Ticket (Clippers)
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ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (17-17): Love won the 3-point Shootout on Saturday at All-Star weekend. Love’s 3-pointer at the buzzer capped a fourth-quarter comeback that gave Minnesota a 101-98 victory over the Clippers on Jan. 20. The Timberwolves stay in Los Angeles to play the Lakers on Wednesday and play at Phoenix on Thursday. “We’ll need a lot of guys to step up if we’re going to maintain what we’ve done so far,” coach Rick Adelman said. “Our schedule becomes really difficult in March.” The Timberwolves play 13 of their next 19 games on the road.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (20-11): Minnesota’s victory in January over the Clippers came with Chris Paul and Caron Butler out. Both should be in the lineup Tuesday. “After the break, that’s when it gets serious” Paul said. “(There’s) definitely a lot of room for improvement. Obviously we haven’t peaked yet and we can keep getting better.” The Clippers agreed to a 10-day contract with Bobby Simmons on Monday. Simmons, 31, played two seasons with the Clippers from 2003-05. He won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2004-05.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. In 17 career games against the Timberwolves, Paul is averaging 21.1 points and 10.5 assists.
2. Minnesota is 7-1 when forward Wes Johnson scores at least nine points.
3. Minnesota guard Ricky Rubio leads all rookies in assists (8.4) and steals (2.35).
PREDICTION: Clippers 98, Timberwolves 89
After tonights game the Clippers play again at the Los Angeles Staples Center on March 11 2012 against the Warriors. We have plenty of Warriors Vs Clippers Tickets in stock for that game as well as Clippers Tickets for all home and away games.
Clippers 103 Nuggets 95 Staples Center
February 23rd, 2012
L.A. Clippers Denver 103 95
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 10:30 PM
Location - Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Officials - #52 Scott Twardoski, #57 Greg Willard, #40 Leon Wood
Attendance - 19163
CLIPPERS 103, NUGGETS 95: Chris Paul scored a season-high 36 points and had nine assists and Blake Griffin had 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Clippers past visiting Denver.
Paul was 11 of 16 from the field and made 11 of 12 free throws.
The Clippers led 89-83 but Denver used a 7-0 run to take back the lead, 90-89 with 7:26 left. That was the final field goal the Nuggets (18-16) made as they missed their final 13 shots. Griffin scored six of the Clippers final 12 points as they pulled away.
DeAndre Jordan grabbed 16 rebounds and scored 10 for the Clippers (20-11), who avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season.
Jordan Hamilton had his best game of the season for the Nuggets, scoring a season-best 18 points, including 4 of 5 on 3-pointers, and grabbing seven rebounds.
Denver’s Arron Afflalo had 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
Nuggets reserve Al Harrington had 11 points, five rebounds and five assists. Kenneth Faried had 12 points and nine rebounds.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said he is pleased overall with the Clippers as they heading into the All-Star break. “I’m pleased with the way the guys have kind of tried to come together with a lot of moving parts,” Del Negro said. “I think overall the guys have really stayed together and grinded some wins out for us, which has put us in a good position.” … Nene (calf injury) has played in just 23 of Denver’s 34 games and might not be 100 percent healthy until next season, according to coach George Karl. … Los Angeles’ Mo Williams was just 2 of 16 and made just 1 of 9 3-pointers.
L.A. Clippers will play their next game at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. You can get tickets for the Timberwolves Vs Clippers now. The Clippers have a W/L % of .550 after a win and .818 after a loss.
Warriors 104 LA Clippers 97
February 21st, 2012
Golden State 104, L.A. Clippers 97
Monday, February 20, 2012 10:30 PM
Location - Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
Officials - #18 Matt Boland, #72 J.T. Orr, #9 Derrick Stafford
Attendance - 19596
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WARRIORS 104, CLIPPERS 97: Brandon Rush hit the go-ahead 3-pointer and Monta Ellis scored 32 points for host Golden State.
David Lee had 24 points and 13 rebounds and Ekpe Udoh added a career-best 19 points as the Warriors scored the game’s final nine points to snap a three-game losing streak.
Chris Paul scored 24 points, Mo Williams had 22 points and drained a season-best six 3-pointers and Blake Griffin scored 21 for the Clippers.
Williams scored 13 final-quarter points and put Los Angeles ahead 97-95 on a basket with 3:15 to play. Rush hit the decisive 3-pointer with 2:07 remaining and the Clippers never scored again while suffering their second consecutive loss.
Ellis drove for a hoop, Stephen Curry hit two free throws and Nate Robinson floated in a driving basket to finish off Los Angeles.
Reggie Evans had a season-best 12 rebounds, DeAndre Jordan grabbed 11 boards and Griffin added nine as the Clippers had a 46-38 rebounding edge.
The Warriors led 74-67 after a 3-pointer by Ellis with 4:16 left in the third quarter. The Clippers cut the margin to three points entering the final stanza and took a 78-77 lead on a 3-pointer by Williams with 10:49 to play.
Golden State led 29-23 after one quarter and increased the lead to 10 points early in the second quarter. The Clippers battled back and Paul hit back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers to conclude a 12-0 surge that gave Los Angeles a 38-35 advantage with 7:26 left in the half.
The Warriors responded with an 11-3 run, taking a five-point lead on a hoop by Ellis with 3:35 remaining. The game was tied 56-56 at halftime.
Paul had 20 points in the first half and Ellis had 18.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Udoh reached double figures for the third time this season and made his first start of the campaign because Andris Biedrins missed the game with flu-like symptoms. … Williams has made seven 3-pointers in a game three times in his eight-year career. … Golden State forward Dorell Wright was scoreless for the second straight game and has missed 13 shots in the two contests. … The Clippers committed 17 turnovers to Golden State’s nine.
Next up for the Clippers is the Denver Nuggets on February 22nd at the Staples Center. You can purchase Nuggets Vs Clippers Tickets for this game now.
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San Antonio Spurs Vs Los Angeles Clippers
February 18th, 2012
San Antonio Spurs @ Los Angeles Clippers
NBA / Western Conference
Staples Center, Los Angeles,
Saturday, February 18th, 2012. 3:30 PM EST
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Analysis of the San Antonio Spurs:
Like most years, the Spurs are quietly letting the league know that they’re one of the best teams of the year, already 21-9 and 1st in their division. Behind the veteran leadership of PG Tony Parker, C Tim Duncan, and SG Manu Ginobli, the Spurs are in great shape to make another deep playoff run this year. The only worry for this team is age, as all of their core players are in range to retire sooner rather than later.
Analysis of the Los Angeles Clippers:
Looking at the Spurs, if you were to try and find a team with the exact opposite qualifications as them you’d probably see the Clippers. The Spurs quietly win while the Clippers are loudly letting everyone know they’ve arrived on the scene. The Spurs pride themselves on a tough defense, the Clippers on an unstoppable offense. The Spurs have experience on their side, the Clippers more talent. Despite these differences, the results for both are very similar; the Clippers are 19-9 and 1st in their division as well.
Key players to watch:
San Antonio Spurs: Manu Ginobli
Ginobli will get an interesting matchup against fellow established G Chauncey Billups. Both are two of the more respected veterans in the league and both pride themselves on both their offensive and defensive abilities. Ginobli will have to show up and shut down Billups for the Spurs to come out of LA with a W.
Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin
PF Blake Griffin presents a matchup problem for the Spurs. They don’t have a true big man to matchup with him really (Duncan will probably cover C DeAndre Jordan) and rookie SF Kawhi Leonard may be their best option. Griffin always comes to play, but if he gets put up against an undersized rookie then expect him to go off for close to 30 points.
Key statistic: turnovers
These teams are two of the best at limiting their turnovers in every game. The both only turn the ball over about 14 times each game, putting them each in the top 5 in the league. The team that can either improve on this statistic or force more on their opponent’s end will be the one to come out victorious.
Prediction:
As outlined, these teams are very different yet very effective. On a Saturday afternoon in LA, not televised, I think it favors the Spurs style of play: quietly shutting down their opponent and leaving the league to think come May, “Wow, did they really play that well this season?” This game will just add to that feeling.
Prediction = San Antonio Spurs: 89 – Los Angeles Clippers: 80
Up next for the Clippers? Nuggets Vs Clippers on Feb 22 at the Staples Center. Buy Clippers Tickets today.
