<div align="center">@</div> <div align="center"> <font color="Red">New Jersey Nets</font> 2-8 <font color="Blue">LA Clippers</font> 5-6</div> <div align="center">Time 10:30 PM,EST Location:STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA TV:TNT</div> <div align="center">Projected Starters</div> <div align="center"><font color="Blue">Los Angeles Clippers</font></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"><font color="DimGrey">New Jersey Nets</font></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"><font color="blue">Head Coaches</font></div> <div align="center"></div> <font color="blue"><div align="center">Mike Dunleavy- Lawrence Frank</div></font> <div align="center">Key Matchup</div> <div align="center"> vs </div> <div align="center">Keys To The Game</div> <div align="center"><font color="Blue">Los Angeles Clippers</font></div> Push the ball and keep the game fast paced: The Nets bench is weak, and forcing them to go to the bench will be a bonus for the Clippers. Containing Alonzo Mourning: He doesn't have an easy matchup against Wilcox, but he should be able to get some good production today, but keeping him from getting too much will help. Pressure Richard Jefferson: Jefferson is the focal point of the Nets offense, and he hasn't been handling it too well, make him take bad shots, force him to commit turnovers, and just cause havoc for him all game long. Get the ball to Brand: Brand will be matched up agaisnt Jason Collins, and he should use his skill and athletic ability to easily take Jason Collins all game long. <div align="center"><font color="Dimgrey">New Jersey Nets</font></div> Go at Jaric: The Nets need to try and go at Jaric on the defensive end, and make him work defensively. He's weak against quicker PG's, but Plananici sn't really quick, so that won't be an effect, but they should make him work. Play tough Defense: The Nets aren't going to win games based on major offensive production, so they're going to have to play good transition and half court defense, and try to keep the Clippers off the scoreboard. Stop the Runs: Don't allow the Clippers to make any big runs, and don't get into a basket trading battle. The 3rd quarter will be very significant in stopping that. <div align="center">The Bench</div> <div align="center"> vs </div> The Clippers have the advantage on the bench with Kittles return. Kittles should be in better shape now, and should get solid minutes on the bench now that Livingston has also gone down with an injury. The Clippers bench will have to keep the pace up, push the ball, and Kittles, and even Mikki should be able to get some easy baskets. The Nets bench needs to play good defense, and also play Brand tough and not allow him to have his way in the paint. They also need to try and put up some points for the team because the starters can't do it alone. <div align="center">Other Notes</div> Chris Kaman is said to be returning today, he should get a few minutes just to play a little, but should'nt make much of an impact in this game. <div align="center">My Predictions</div> LA Clippers - 98 | New Jersey - 89. The Clippers take this one in a fast paced game, and the 3rd quarter will be significant in opening the game up for the big win. The Nets will have trouble keeping the pace and making shots, and it might even become the making of a blowout game. Alonzo will have a decent game, and get at Wilcox inside, but it will not be enough. Brand dominates his defenders and put up 23 and 12, the Net's PF's will be unable to hang with him and match his athleticism and skill in the paint. Richard Jefferson scores 20 points and grabs 8 rebounds, but commits 5 turnovers and shoots 7-20 from the field, and his effort is just not enough to pull the Nets through.
Two great teams going at it. Haha I couldn't resist, but Wilcox is the man. The clips should come out victorious. And that's sure a funny looking pic of RJ dunking. + u know the Chuckster is really looking foward to this game.
Clippers - 101 Nets - 88 Marko Jaric - 23 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks Elton Brand - 17 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block RIchard Jefferson - 24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists. Mikki Moore played great off the bench, the team took it in the 3rd quarter and opened the game up, and just all-round a pretty good game. Brand really needs to start getting more touches though, they weren't getting him the ball enough, and against tougher opponents that will become important. I was saying it while watching the game, and right after that on of the analysts says it too, and it's true. Kaman playedm ore than I expected him to, he got 16 minutes and did pretty good, and Quntin Ross also had a pretty good game. Rick Brunson made on nice pass to Mikki under the basket, and he played well at the point and had 6 assists in the game.
The clips did play very well in this game. And man I didn't know they lead the league in assists. I noticed they were an unselfish team but wouldn't have thought they would be leading the league in assists with Jaric running the point when he's a shooting guard. Amazing.
