Los Angeles Clippers VS Los Angeles Lakers
Where: Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA
When: Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 @ 7:30PM
TV:
/ NBA TV
Projected Starting 5
Paul | Billups | Butler | Griffin | Jordan
Key Reserves
Williams | Foye | Gomes | Cook
Projected Starting 5
Fisher | Barnes | Artest | Gasol | Bynum
Key Reserves
Blake | Ebanks | McRoberts | Murphy
Inactive List:
Travis Leslie (Ankle) is doubtful.
Eric Bledsoe (Meniscus, Right Knee) is out.
Kobe Bryant (Torn Ligament, Right Wrist) and Derrick Caracter (Meniscus, Left Knee) are out.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kd4adDBR3Q[/youtube]
This is the last game of the preseason and our final true tune-up before opening night. I honestly do not know what to expect. The Lakers were not prepared for us on Monday night and may want a little revenge (even though it's only preseason). We'll be playing on our own floor in front of our STH's, so there will be added incentive to come out strong once again. The media is giving us a lot of hype right now, but a critic's memory is typically only as long as the most recent game. After tomorrow they'll either continue to run with it or scale it down a bit.
Our players were lights out on Monday and that type of performance should not be expected every night. However, Griffin didn't have the easiest game and that can't be expected every night either. I'm looking for him to bounce back and be a bit more visible in the team's production. He was bothered by the length (and has been in the past), but he's fully capable of putting up good percentages against the Lakers. Reggie Evans was just signed on Tuesday, so it's not yet known if he'll suit up, but he'll likely be in attendance at the very least.
A few quotes from the team...
"I want the other team to forget about me when we walk in the arena," Foye said. "That's when I come out and some nights I'll have 20 [points] and some nights I'll have four, or whatever. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter as long as we get the 'W.'"
- Randy Foye speaking on his new role
Had wayyyyy 2 much fun 2nite...felt gr8 to get up and down the court and compete in front of the fans...we still have A LOT of work to do!!!
- Chris Paul on his first game with Clippers
“I think we stole Trey Thompkins in this draft. He’s been one of the best basketball players in this camp so far from a basketball skills standpoint,” Olshey said. “Travis Leslie’s got incredible upside.”
Neil Olshey on the upside of our rookies
“We really do have a great outlook, but in all actuality we haven’t won a game yet,” guard Chauncey Billups said. “And the difficult thing is that everybody knows we should be a lot better, so we don’t have the advantage of sneaking up on teams anymore. Teams are going to be ready, you’re going to start getting teams’ best punch.”
- Chauncey Billups on the team's outlook
"Teams are gonna be gunning for us," Paul said Tuesday
- Chris Paul speaking of the target on the Clippers' backs
Also, as a heads up, the Hornets will be playing against the Grizzlies at 5pm (PST). The Ex-Clippers will be making their debuts in front of their new home crowd.
Missed last game because I was in Sydney 
You are the best mkwest! Waited all day for this game!