Game 37: Los Angeles (12-24) vs The Heatles (30-9)

[mkwest]

I'll give you guys credit for a great 1st quarter, but we've actually been playing pretty awfully lately, despite the streaks. Our D was nonexistent early on, and we took bad shots all game (many of which were makes.) Didn't help that the refs clearly had an agenda, and that's as far as I'll go there. That was the kind of officiating even a homer would have to acknowledge. Deplorable.

Good win (on paper) though guys.

It's a good win period. The Clippers played tough tonight. We had some calls work against us as well. They were the underdogs and they brought it. Y'all still have a great record and a great shot at winning the Chip. No need to belittle this win for us. C'mon.

[Day in the Life]

I'll give you guys credit for a great 1st quarter, but we've actually been playing pretty awfully lately, despite the streaks. Our D was nonexistent early on, and we took bad shots all game (many of which were makes.) Didn't help that the refs clearly had an agenda, and that's as far as I'll go there. That was the kind of officiating even a homer would have to acknowledge. Deplorable.

Good win (on paper) though guys.

It's a good win period. The Clippers played tough tonight. We had some calls work against us as well. They were the underdogs and they brought it. Y'all still have a great record and a great shot at winning the Chip. No need to belittle this win for us. C'mon.

Grats Clips.

Please, a Heat fan arguing over an agenda by the refs? Take out your hypocrisy. That home game against the Warriors was an "agenda" if I ever saw one.

[mattfish]

There were a lot of non-calls for both teams, which led to a lot of frustration for the players. If the refs had an agenda, it was to let the players play it out. I'm glad that Blake, LeBron, Wade weren't getting any "star" treatment calls.

[scratch21]

just got home from the GAME.. what did i miss hahahha JK CLIPPER NATION!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheNewEra]

Tough physical game

[jflipclip]

man i still have a lot of adrenaline running through my body

that was a very entertaining game to watch. GRIFFIN STARE DOWN ftw

[mattfish]

Does anyone know what's going on with Rasual Butler? He hasn't played in a while, ever since his tweet. Is he hurt or being punished or what?

[TheNewEra]

punished i guess but can't last that much longer Foye is getting more broken down by the game.

[clipperfan4life]

I didn't bother to check the thread during the game, because this was a game that I couldn't miss and man at the end this win ranks as one of the best wins I've ever witnessed. Probably my favorite play of the day was when baron davis shockingly leaped from the ground and dunked! yes...like literally DUNKED which I haven't seen from him in years! Today is a good day for Clipper fans, and I just hope this boosts up their confidence and win a number of games throughout the season. I hope Blake Griffin is okay and he needs more rest. Other than that GOO CLIPPERS!!!!

[clipperfan4life]

Does anyone know what's going on with Rasual Butler? He hasn't played in a while, ever since his tweet. Is he hurt or being punished or what?

I feel bad for him, I just hate to see him being benched and not get any minutes. Is he even happy with his role on the team? I just hope that he doesn't mess up the chemistry, I know he can come in handy in some games down the stretch.

[illastrate]

"I tell people all the time...If you take the Clippers lightly, we will beat you. It's that simple." - Sam Cassell

[biggd]

i'm still so pumped

now lets smash the woeful warriors

[mike3]

what a win, im excited for this team.
if where going to get any confidence from a win, thats the one, was huge

i do feel bad for Rasual though, he helped us a lot in the past, maybe there is a reasonable explanation though and hes still happy with his role..

[manohman]

Oh yeah, we did it! We beat the Heat!

I woke up in the morning and saw we were up by 14. Then I watched half of the 3rd quarter and had to go to school. I'll definitely watch this game tomorrow.

Man it feels good right now.

[ClipperDomination]

Great win. Bledsoe did such a great job providing instant energy on the court. I hope he continues his spark, and becomes even more comfortable on the court with more PT.

[mkwest]

Blake Griffin is the Clippers' guy

Kaman on Blake's effect on team and culture

"It's amazing to me that one player can change things so quickly," said the longest-tenured Clipper, center Chris Kaman. "He always does all the stuff that he doesnt have to do, but he does it because he wants to be the best and I think that pushes other players. We just have a good environment around here now and a lot of that is because of Blake."

Blake reflecting on win over Heat

"Our season wasn't won or lost with this game," Griffin said humbly after the game. "We still have a lot more games to be played, so I think the key for us is to keep working."

Blake on the reason for player's only meeting a month ago

"The night before, I was watching SportsCenter and someone introduced us as, 'The Clippers, the worst team in the NBA.' I didn't think that was true," Griffin said, seeming a little angry even in reliving the memory. "None of us thought that was true.

"So we talked about playing for our pride. Playing with pride."

Ramona Shelburne, ESPN Los Angeles

[playaloc916]

That was one of the best games I've seen in awhile. The Heat kept making pushes, but we somehow kept them at bay. Baron impressed the heck out of me that game. It seems like game by game, he's starting to earn that huge paycheck of his. It's looking like he's hitting his stride and being the playmaker and floor general we so desperately need.

Another day at the office for Blake. I liked that little scuffle he had with Chalmers. Dirty play or not, sometimes you have to mix it up a little to get that fire going. Bledsoe also provided a nice little spark with that block on Lebron and his driving to the basket.

And I love how when we start going through a little drought, Gordon does exactly what we need, which is be aggressive and not settle. He wasn't like this before this season. Things are looking great, I hope we've finally turned the corner and can maintain this momentum.

[mkwest]

LeBron Misjudges the L.A. Clippers

"I think the key is for a young team, for a team that wants to become elite or become good, you have to (like D. Wade said) show up every night. You can't just show up against the HEAT or show up for the [Los Angeles] Lakers or [Boston] Celtics. It's easy to get up for those games," said LeBron James. "You have sell outs. There's going to be 19,000 fans in the crowd. It's easy to get up for those games. But when you're playing some of the teams that record-wise that are not that good, do you still play with that intensity? A young team is very difficult at times but they have some veterans. Baron Davis is a veteran. Ryan Gomes is a veteran. Eric Gordon has been in the league a few years. They have veterans. It should make them guys understand that you can't just show up when you play the top tier teams in the NBA."

LeBron's take on the Clippers suggests he hasn't followed the team at all.

Die-hard fans who have sat through the downward spiral since the 2006 playoff run are enjoying each game with a giddy smile, win or lose.

The team's best player is also their hardest worker. Griffin's attitude is rubbing off on his teammates and the Clippers' identity is the opposite of what LeBron suggests.

Del Negro rarely, if ever, criticizes his team for lack of effort.

Lack of execution? Yes. Lack of experience? Sure. Bonehead plays and turnovers at crucial moments? Naturally.

Bringing it daily? Nah.

Recently the Clippers did the same to the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors, both double-digit leads. They defeated the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls on the road.

Both the Utah Jazz and Atlanta Hawks had to come from behind to win in LA. Neither loss was from lack of effort, but rather lack of understanding.

The Clippers do "show up every night." They just don't win at a 60% or 70% clip.

Now in the past, the Clippers haven't shown up for an entire season (especially the last one), but James must be confusing LA with another franchise.

Eric Pincus, HoopsWorld