LA Clippers (15-7) AT Cavaliers (9-14) Game 23

[thanumba2clippersfan]

AT

Time: 4 PM (Pacific)
TV: FSN West
Radio: AM 980

Starting for the visiting Clippers



Clipper Bench


Injured Clippers
Chauncey Billups (Achilles) OUT FOR SEASON
Kenyon Martin ?????????



Starting for the Cavs


Cavs Bench


Injured Cavs
Daniel Gibson (Soft tissue infection in neck) QUESTIONABLE
Anthony Parker (Low back strain) OUT
Tristan Thompson (Left ankle sprain) OUT


By now we all know that Chauncey Billups will not be back this season. With that said we still need to play and we have a game tonight. The Cavs are coming off a road game against the Heat. They were able to keep a distance with the Heat until the 4th quarter. Byron Scott has them playing hard and by no means are they an easy out. They are much improved from last season. Since they did play last night I hope that they will be a little tired and we can take advantage of that. Plus we have some extra motivation for this game. First, we are the team the Cavs beat to end that horrible losing streak they were on. Second, Mo Williams was on the Cavs last season, hopefully he has something special in store for Cleveland. Third, the team has to rally around losing Billups. Now is the time for guys like Williams, Foye, and Bledsoe to step up in his absence. I'm hoping for a great effort tonight and that we come up with another road victory.

[scratch21]

another game we must win.. lets see how we respond to Uncle Chanceys injury

[azncorruptedo17]

i'm assuming foye is going to be starting this game?

[jflipclip]

i'm assuming foye is going to be starting this game?

VDN says he's leaning towards him as the starter. SOURCE Makes sense. Also in the link, KMart may play this week, but not against Cleveland. They want him well-conditioned before he steps on the court.

[roc]

need to remove Billups pic from that starting lineup

[mkwest]

Chauncey at Clippers' practice/shootaround in Cleveland today.

According to Michael Eaves, both Kenyon and Bledsoe will be available to play today.

[azncorruptedo17]

i actually think we may have a bit of a sloppy game. we'll most likely be trying to fit in eb and kmart into the rotation, i would say blowout, but cavs are playing a little better.

win for us, but a sloppy one i think.

[800LoanMart]

The game tonight will mark the middle of the six game ten day road trip for the Clippers. After experiencing the unfortunate event of losing Billups it will be interesting to see how the Clippers rebound from the loss. The Clippers have shown strength both on and off the court as a team this season. Being able to take each obstacle in stride has helped the Clippers continue to develop and grow which is very important. I think VDN has been through this experience before and will be able to provide some great coaching that will continue to guide the Clippers down the right path.

[TheNewEra]

I agree with the above statement this is a true test for Vinny to see if he can rally this group from the emotional let down of losing Billups while focusing on keeping the confidence high after being the Magic. Game plan wise we must not let Irving get inside at will and Blake must keep Jamison from lighting the three ball. Very difficult game on many fronts while implementing Bled and Martin but this is the game to do it to be more prepared for Phily

[illastrate]

K-Mart: yes. Bledsoe: maybe RT @NittanyClipper: @MEavesFSWest will K-Mart see minutes tonite? What about Bledsoe? #Clippers

https://twitter.com/#!/MEavesFSWest/sta ... 5069116416

Can't wait to see K-Mart's debut!

[LOJ]

I'm going to squirm like a little school girl when I see K-Mart get on the floor for us.

[og15]

i'm assuming foye is going to be starting this game?

VDN says he's leaning towards him as the starter. SOURCE Makes sense. Also in the link, KMart may play this week, but not against Cleveland. They want him well-conditioned before he steps on the court.

Lack of condition plus playing at the NBA level equals a risk for injury, so he needs to be in good condition before unleashing him on to the court

[jflipclip]

Except I guess today is a different day, according the the above posts. lol. LA Times also said either today or Friday.

[mkwest]

Kenyon will play up to 15 mins tonight. Bledsoe will be dressed and active, but unlikely to play until the weekend.

[illastrate]

Madelyn Burke @MadelynBurke
Kenyon Martin will play tonight (approx 15 min), Bledsoe will be active but not ready to play, VDN hopes he will be back by end of this trip

[jflipclip]

mkwest, who's that in your avatar?

My quick analysis: I haven't really followed the Cavs this year. I just know Irving is playing like an experienced vet, Varejao is back, and Gee has had some nice dunks this season. I think our frontcourt should dominate their frontcourt. I wanna see how Irving plays, especially against CP3. And we'll see how well our 2nd unit handles when Griffin steps off to rest and Martin getting some minutes.

[illastrate]

Reed, Boyer @PDcavsinsider
Neglected to mention that Tristan Thompson (ankle) and Anthony Parker (back) remain out. #Cavs

[scratch21]

man i might've been the hardest on Billups this year.. but i will miss him

[mkwest]

mkwest, who's that in your avatar?

Madelyn Burke

No Kyrie Irving tonight. Concussion-like symptoms

man i might've been the hardest on Billups this year.. but i will miss him

He had his moments when he would take ill-advised shots, but we were a better team when he was in the game. It's the intangibles that we're going to miss the most.

[illastrate]

Wow, no Kyrie. Yikes.