Game 65: Los Angeles (24-40) VS Boston (46-15)

[mkwest]

Los Angeles Clippers VS Boston Celtics
Where: TD Garden in Boston, MA
When: Wednesday, March 9th, 2011 @ 4:30 PM
TV:
Radio: KFWB News Talk 980

Previous Meetings:
2/26 in Los Angeles, CA
Celtics over Clippers 99-92, Game Thread




PG: #25 - Mo Williams SG: #4 - Randy Foye

SF: #15 - Ryan Gomes PF: #32 - Blake Griffin

C: #9 - DeAndre Jordan

Key Reserves

Eric Bledsoe / Jamario Moon / Farouq Aminu / Chris Kaman



PG: #9 - Rajon Rondo SG: #20 - Ray Allen

SF: #34 - Paul Pierce PF: #5 - Kevin Garnett

C: #44 - Nenad Krstic

Key Reserves

Carlos Arroyo / Sasha Pavlovic / Jeff Green / Troy Murphy


Inactive List:

Eric Gordon (Right Wrist) is out.


Glen Davis (Patellar Tendon), Jermaine O'neal (Left Knee) and Shaquille O'neal (Achilles), Von Wafer (Right Calf Sprain) and Delonte West (Sprained Right Ankle) are out.


Team Leaders



Eric Gordon - 23.7 Points (9th) & 1.2 Steals

Blake Griffin - 12.5 Rebounds (4th)

Mo Williams - 7.0 Assists

DeAndre Jordan - 1.8 Blocks (9th)



Paul Pierce - 19.1 Points

Kevin Garnett - 9.3 Rebounds

Rajon Rondo - 12.2 Assists (1st) & 2.4 steals (2nd)

Jermaine O'neal - 1.2 Blocks

Blake Griffin as "Mars BlakeMan" hyping up USC's Jordan Cameron.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA56v0-Ey0A[/youtube]

Clippers' DeAndre Jordan remains a starter, but coach wants changes

"Not right now," Del Negro said after practice Tuesday afternoon. "DJ has got to be more consistent with his energy, his effort, his approach to things. When he does that, he makes a big difference for us.

"We've talked about that. But he's got to understand his role: defense, rebounds, set screens, run the floor, do the things he's more than capable of doing physically. Chris gives us a different look."

"Whether it happens this year or not — with my minute restrictions, all that kind of stuff — it's up to Vinny," he said. "I think I definitely am a starter in this league. On any team, around the league. I think I've proved that."

Pausing, he revised that … slightly.

"There are some teams obviously with solid players where I wouldn't be able to start on," Kaman said. "But the majority of teams, I think I would be a starter. I really haven't had the chance to prove that much this year. We'll see.

"We've got 18 games left. So we'll see. I just want to be patient. I want to take my time and play the right way … and I want to make this team successful.

"It's been awhile since we've had success in L.A. with the Clippers. I think we're moving in the right direction."

Lisa Dillman, LA Times

Eric Gordon at the LA Sports Awards

The Clipper guard was representing one of the 10 moments that won an award that night. Honored alongside Gordon were the likes of UCLA legendary coach John Wooden, Landon Donovan and Dr. Jerry Buss. Lakers play-by-play announcer, Joel Meyers, introduced Gordon to the stage to receive the award, and it was clearly evident that Gordon was grateful to still be recognized for his actions six months ago.

“This has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my career,” Gordon told the audience while accepting the award. “I remember watching all the Olympic teams and the World Championship teams since I was a kid, and I’ve always wanted to be a part of it. It’s been a really enjoyable moment to play with guys like Lamar Odom and Chauncey Billups and all the older guys you look up to when you’re a kid,” Gordon said as the crowd chuckled.

“No, I didn’t think I would be getting this type of recognition [for Team USA] but you never know,” a humbled Gordon said. “But it was obviously very difficult and real tough to make that USA team, so I appreciate it a lot more. It was great to be a part of such a team with that many All-Star caliber guys.”

The night marked yet another positive signal for the Clippers in a year with more optimistic indicators than anyone could have imagined. There have been all types of honors going towards Gordon’s way throughout the year, and there’s also been his dominating play on the floor this season, turning him into a household name. With the help of another national star in Blake Griffin, the city of Los Angeles has been talking Clipper basketball throughout the season.

So what does all this commotion mean for the Los Angeles Clippers?

“It definitely means something,” said Gordon. “This just shows how much of an up-and-coming team we are for the future.”

Sean Nami, Clippers.com

[TheNewEra]

This should be a great game looking forward to seeing the energy tonight.

[donemilio21]

I hate early games. I dont think I'm gonna be able watch it

[Leor_77]

Really wish we had Gordon back, and that he didn't re-injure his wrist. I have a feeling this is going to be a beat down.

[celticfan42487]

Can you fans not just tape the game then watch it when you get home?

I mean I could understand if it's a late night game like for East Coasters where it starts at 10:30 and ends at 1:30 not being able to watch it till the next day.

But an early game seems to be a pretty convenient problem to have for anyone with a VCR let along DVR or anything like that.

[tundraknight]

Cavs fan here. I was just wondering how Mo was working out for you guys so far and if you think he's a decent fit on your team. I haven't watched any clippers games since the trade.

[illastrate]

Can you fans not just tape the game then watch it when you get home?

I mean I could understand if it's a late night game like for East Coasters where it starts at 10:30 and ends at 1:30 not being able to watch it till the next day.

But an early game seems to be a pretty convenient problem to have for anyone with a VCR let along DVR or anything like that.

I guess because we're so used to watching the entire game live. For those east coast games, most of us will miss the entire game. For me, I'm able to watch most of the 2nd half after work, so it doesn't bother me so much.

[illastrate]

Cavs fan here. I was just wondering how Mo was working out for you guys so far and if you think he's a decent fit on your team. I haven't watched any clippers games since the trade.

Mo has fit in really well. I like that he's pushing the ball at every opportunity. He's also hit clutch shots in every game he's played with us.

[Leor_77]

Can you fans not just tape the game then watch it when you get home?

I mean I could understand if it's a late night game like for East Coasters where it starts at 10:30 and ends at 1:30 not being able to watch it till the next day.

But an early game seems to be a pretty convenient problem to have for anyone with a VCR let along DVR or anything like that.

Most people are at work, but sometimes we can catch some of the game via online streams. Fox Sports West is actually pretty good - For early games, they show replays at 7:30 PM, and also another one late at night.

That's not the case with the Lakers and KCAL (which is the Lakers exclusive network for away games) - KCAL is terrible...Even if it's a 4:00 PM game, you can only watch it at that time, and they show absolutely no replays later in the day.

[Leor_77]

Double post.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I apologize to tundraknight. I believe edited your post instead of quoting it. Again my apologies.

We've won our last 3 game and Mo has done a decent job. He is hitting some open shots, making free throws, and throwing ally-oop passes. It definitely helps to have a PG healthy and ready to go.

Now onto tonight's game. I didn't realize that Boston had so many players out. We are coming in with a 3 game winning streak and I hope we can extend it. We played well against the Celtics in the first half of the first game. However we do not play that well on the road, so I can't really predict what will happen. Hopefully we play well and we win

[mkwest]

My prayers and condolences go out to Baron Davis whose grandmother died on Monday. Her being in LA was one of the toughest things for Baron leaving and one of the hold-ups for the trade taking as long as it did to complete. As many know, his grandmother raised him and his siblings. It's a huge loss for him, but thankfully she was blessed with a long life and able to make an impact on many.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

My prayers and condolences go out to Baron Davis whose grandmother died on Monday. Her being in LA was one of the toughest things for Baron leaving and one of the hold-ups for the trade taking as long as it did to complete. As many know, his grandmother raised him and his siblings. It's a huge loss for him, but thankfully she was blessed with a long life and able to make an impact on many.

Poor Baron, I'm really surprised to hear this news. At least Baron got to spend more time with his grandma during the later stages of her life. My condolences go out to Baron and his family.

[mkwest]

Vinny wanted a little more out of DJ and he's getting it today.

[TheNewEra]

DJ!!!!

[thanumba2clippersfan]

We have 11 points in the first 4 minutes of the game

[mkwest]

Poor Baron, I'm really surprised to hear this news. At least Baron got to spend more time with his grandma during the later stages of her life. My condolences go out to Baron and his family.

I think she was in the hospital the last couple of weeks. Like you said, it was great for her and Baron to be able to spend nearly the last 2 1/2 years together. It's gotta be rough on Baron to have lost such great mentors in his grandmother and Wooden last year.

[Leor_77]

Really wish Blake would be more aggressive going towards the basket, and not settle for the long jump shot.

[mkwest]

Mo Bingo!

[thanumba2clippersfan]

Mo Williams is having a nice start