<div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"><font color="Red">Los Angeles Clippers </font> (27-48) @ <font color="Red">Chicago Bulls </font> (21-54) </div> <div align="center">Time: 5:30 p.m. PT Location: United Center TV: FSN2, NBALP</div> Season Series: Clippers 1, Bulls 0 1/07/04 Clippers 102 Bulls 92 Previous Games: Clippers @ Warriors 105-77 L Bulls @ Magic 109-91 W Last 10 Games: Clippers 1-9 (Lost 9) Bulls 3-7 (Won 1) Head Coaches: Mike Dunleavy Sr./Scott Skiles Probable Starters: Keyon Dooling/Jannero Pargo Doug Overton/Jamal Crawford Corey Maggette/Linton Johnson Elton Brand/Antonio Davis Chris Kaman/Eddy Curry Sixth Men Matt Barnes/Ronald Dupree Injury Report Clippers Marko Jaric Josh Moore Quentin Richardson Bulls Chris Jeffries Scottie Pippen Paul Shirley <div align="center">Players To Watch </div> <div align="center">Corey Maggette & Jamal Crawford</div> <div align="center">Maggette: 20.4 pts, 5.90 rebs, 3.1 assists, .89 steals Crawford: 17.0 pts, 3.50 rebs, 5.1 assists, 1.40 steals </div> Keys To The Game <u>Clippers</u> In order for the Clippers to end their horrible nine game losing streak, they'll have to do the following: Elton Brand will have to continue his offensive efforts in his previous game by receiving the ball in the low post, and dominating over Antonio Davis. Also, he's going to have to do a better job especially in the offensive rebound categories. He only grabbed three previously, and that is not going to help your team stay in the game at any time. He's going to be challenged by Davis who not only can score double-digits a night, but can rebound consistently too. Keyon Dooling played an excellent game since replacing Quentin Richardson, and he'll have to improve on his contributions from the previous night. He's going to have to make better decisions with the basketball, cut down on turnovers, penetrate to the basket whenever necessary, and most importantly beter shot selections. Along with Dooling, Doug Overton played a decent game. And I think this backcourt if they shoot a high percentage from the field can do some serious damage. Defense. In a nine game losing streak, this is what it comes down to. Since the Bulls are on their level of futility, there's no way they can't play decent defensive basketball for 48 minutes. <u>Bulls</u> For the Bulls to try and improve on this winning streak, they'll have to do the following: Pound the ball inside to Eddy Curry. Curry had a dominant game previously against the Orlando Magic going 10/18 for 27 points. It'll be very important for him to set the stage early, hitting shots in a consistent flow, and having confidence on every Bull possession that he can be the X factor in the game. It'll also be important for him to control the glass. In the Magic game, he slacked on those categories, and if the Bulls want a chance to win this game, offensive, defensive, and second chance opportunities are key. The new look backcourt duo of Pargo and Crawford have looked very impressive together. Together in their previous game, they topped 52 points. If these two can shoot a significant, decent percentage from the field, and continue to get the other starting three involved in the ballgame, they have an excellent chance of winning. Antonio Davis has to bounce back from his 0-8 shooting peformance. he's a force in the rebound categories, but if you shoot disturbingly from the field, you could also put your team in a scoring slump. Laker Fever's Prediction I really feel with Chicago's new backcourt duo of Jamal Crawford and Jannero Pargo, it'll play a huge role in this one. Even though these two teams are identical record-wise, the Clippers have just stumbled through so many injuries, and their starting five can't even stay intact. Therefore, I'm going with the Bulls by 10.
I've really stopped following the Clippers the last 15 games or so. Really stressful to watch them play a good game for 40minutes and then get blown out in the last 8. Will Overton and Dooling really be starting though? I guess I could see Dooling starting but that lineup is a little small, and I don't think they would start Overton when they have Simmons. I've also heard Corey might not even play this game cause of his injury in the last game, has anyone heard anything about that?
The battle of two teams that want and need to lose, can't say It will be interesting to watch but a good preview deserves replies at least.
Good preview...I just wish there were more clipper fans around... Regardless, Clippers playing like garbage lately...I saw Crawford has a big game, and bulls win b y9
I didn't reply to the Preview, but not the greatest game, Pargo continued to light it up and did his thing against us. Brand wasn't too great from the field, but otherwise had a great game. Corey also had a good game, and was that a Drobjnak double-double. Keyoon Dooling also kinda made me notice him today, hope we can just keep fighting hard and bounce back nect year with a real PG, Brand, Maggette, Kaman (Developed), and Maybe Q-Rich or another 2 guard. The embarrasing thing is that Jamal Craford shot relatively well against us . Eddy Curry also lit it up, and its his usual end of the season show promise then suck till the end of next season. Hinrich shot bad but makes mel ike him more everytime I see him play, imagine the Clips with Hinrich. :049: Box Score Recap
