Details: When: Wednesday, January 12th Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles Time (Seattle): 7:00 TV: Fox Sports, League Pass Projected Starters: <font color="green">Seattle (25-8)</font> Luke Ridnour Ray Allen Rashard Lewis* Reggie Evans Jerome James <font color="Red">LA Clippers (16-17)</font> Rick Brunson Corey Maggette Bobby Simmons Elton Brand Chris Kaman Injury Troubles: <font color="green">Seattle</font> Mateen Cleaves: Strained shoulder, ruled out. Casanova Swift: Strained hip, ruled out. Damien Wilkins: Knee tendinitis, ruled out. *Rashard Lewis: Quadricep contusion, gametime decision. <font color="red">LA Clippers</font> Marko Jaric: Fractured foot, ruled out. Chris Wilcox: Lower leg stress reaction, ruled out. Shaun Livingston: Dislocated kneecap, ruled out. Brief Notes: <ul> [*]The third and final meeting between these two teams, thanks to the new divisional alignments, and the real chance for the Sonics to put away the Staples Center demons that have haunted them since opening night. A tight win in Seattle last night was sealed with a 7-1 run late on, evening the series at a game apiece, and they will go into Los Angeles a slight favourite, although the Clippers battled manfully despite going in short-handed due to injuries. [/list] <ul> [*]Speaking of injuries, Rashard Lewis' All-Star campaign hit a small obstacle last night. Lewis suffered a bruised quadricep in the second quarter, forcing him to sit out half of the game (he played 24 minutes), and he finished with only nine points. He is going to be a gametime decision, but the Sonics have an able back-up in Vladimir Radmanovic, who has scored 45 in his last two games. Reggie Evans on the other hand started last night and had nine rebounds, restoring Seattle's effective power rotation, with both Danny Fortson and Nick Collison effective off the bench. The Clippers continue to play without Marko Jaric and Chris Wilcox, both of whom were nejoying breakout seasons. [/list] <ul> [*]Our Thought Are With You, Nate: The team will be put into the trusty hands of assistant Dwayne Casey for this one, as Nate McMillan will be in North Carolina after the death of his aunt. I think I speak for all Sonic fans both on JBB, and worldwide, in saying we are sorry for your loss and wish you all the best in a tough time such as this. The players have some extra motivation here, so anything less than a huge effort will be unnacceptable. [/list] <ul> [*]Word of the day: uaea; n: a Samoan word meaning "wire."[/list] <div align="center">"Seattle fans will be hoping to establish a lead early, so the game does not go down to the uaea"</div> <div align="center">Random Family Guy Quote </div> Peter (in Hell): Hey, what are you doing here? Superman: I killed a hooker. She made a crack about me being faster than a speeding bullet so I ripped her in half like a phonebook. All predictions, analysis and discussion relating directly to the game, both before, during and after, to be posted in this thread.
Clippers up 51-42 at half time, Maggette has been a beast, I liked the windmill off the steal, that was nice.
Clippers win by 11, 103-92, the Clips are truly the Sonics achilles heel. Maggette led the way with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Brand didn't do too great on the boards, but had 19 points and 4 blocks. Their was no big bench performance from Radmon today, and Rashard also only played 18 minutes. Ray Allen wasn't too hot in the game going 7-20 and committing 5 turnovers, but he also had 7 boards and 8 asssits.
We can't win without Radman lighting it up. I've been saying this the past five games, but nobody will listen.
We are definitly at a loss without "Shard." The game probably would have been different if Lewis was playing.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">Clippers win by 11, 103-92, the Clips are truly the Sonics achilles heel.</div> Well we have won something like 40 of our last 50 games against the Clips, but you take the season series 2-1. Having Rashard not fully healthy killed us, as he generally plays very well against LA. Nothing else to do but put this last period behind us, regroup, and bounce back against Golden State at home.
I meant for this season, the Clippers aren't anyone's achilles heel all-time. Anyways, I understand injuries, the starting and backup PG for the Clips have both been out, and the starting/backup Center is also injured.
^ I wasn't making excuses for us, mate, Clips deserved the win. It's no use having the best performed bench in the league if you can't win when a starter isn't up to it.
Derrick Martin now there is a name I remember from last years playoffs. Pretty much held his own in last years conference finals with the Wolves. Can't believe after what he did he couldn't get a contract this year. Even now he is only on a 10 day contract. Quite odd.
