The Essentials:
Wizards (7-14) vs. Clippers (9-13)
10:30 p.m.
Staples Center
TV: CSN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan
Notable Clippers numbers this season
25th in expected winning percentage (.370)
18th in pace (92.1 possessions per game)
25th in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (102.2)
T14th in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (106.2)
Pre-game links
Clips Nation, SB Nation's Clippers Blog
Clipperblog
Clips Nation's game preview
GameDay Los Angeles (reporting that Javaris Crittenton is practicing)
| Tonight's Projected Starters | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wizards | vs. | Clippers |
| Gilbert Arenas | PG | Baron Davis |
| DeShawn Stevenson/Nick Young | SG | Eric Gordon |
| Caron Butler | SF | Al Thornton |
| Antawn Jamison | PF | Marcus Camby |
| Brendan Haywood | C | Chris Kaman |
(All written out, so this is going to be quick).
The Clippers are basically Wizards-east. Even without Blake Griffin, they have a ton of talent, but never seem to get things done. In one of my all-time favorite lines in NBA blogosphere history, here's ClipperBlog after the Clippers' blowout home loss to San Antonio last night.
It would be far more instructive if the Clippers could produce some recurring basketball patterns to their losses and stick with them.
Classic Kevin Arnovitz. But really, it kind of sounds like the Wizards, doesn't it? The Clippers desperately need a new coach - having Mike Dunleavy call a ton of set plays just isn't working for this bunch. They need to get out in transition and never do. Imagine if Scott Brooks coached this team instead of Mike Dunleavy? How much better would they be?
Regardless, this is a weird situation for both teams. This is a double-home back-to-back for the Clippers, as well as a getaway game for them (they're about to embark on a road trip), while the Wizards are just starting their West coast swing. This seems like a winnable game, but nothing is totally winnable with this bunch, as we all know.
I'm probably going to watch this on tape-delay tomorrow, but for all others, here's your open thread.
GO WIZARDS!