Bullets Forever - Wizards vs Clippers: Washington can't quite get second straight upset"Ain't No Luck"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48097/BulletsForever-fv.png2013-01-20T11:25:52-05:00http://www.bulletsforever.com/rss/stream/36590852013-01-20T11:25:52-05:002013-01-20T11:25:52-05:00Booker wants Griffin suspended for elbow
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<p>The Wizards' forward spoke out about an apparent elbow that Griffin delivered in the final minute of Washington's loss to the Clippers on Saturday night.</p> <p><span>Trevor Booker</span> has been outspoken about not liking <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a> forward <span>Blake Griffin's</span> style. There was one game in Verizon Center a couple years ago where Booker picked up several fouls trying to stop Griffin from posting up, and since then, he hasn't been shy about expressing his opinion.</p>
<p>Last night was no exception. Booker took exception to what he says was a Griffin elbow in the final minute and had to be held back from going at Griffin. Afterwards, Booker's anger hadn't gone away. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards-vs-clippers-washington-rally-falls-short-as-los-angeles-wins-94-87/2013/01/20/792b6ce4-62a0-11e2-a389-ee565c81c565_story.html">Via Michael Lee</a>:</p>
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<p>"He should've got kicked out of the game for it," Booker said of Griffin. "Hopefully they go review it after the game and I'm looking for a suspension at least. I mean, he elbowed me to my face."</p>
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<p>I honestly can't remember the play too much, but I do remember Booker wanting to go after Griffin. Given what Griffin <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/20/3896048/heres-blake-griffin-flopping">did earlier in the game</a>, I'm guessing most of you guys will support Booker's message.</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/20/3896688/trevor-booker-blake-griffin-elbow-suspendedMike Prada2013-01-20T09:49:48-05:002013-01-20T09:49:48-05:00Links: Wizards clipped in L.A.
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<p>Imagine if they'd won this one.</p> <p>Sunday links:</p>
<ul>
<li>So the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Wizards</a> played a mistake-ridden game and yet with 90 seconds to play were within one point of the league's second-best team in their building. On the one hand, that sounds like a 'moral victory' for an 8-30 team; on the other, it's frustrating that their own gaffes prevented the Wiz from winning No. 9 and their fifth game in six tries. Recaps: [<a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/20/3895836/clippers-vs-wizards-score-final">Us</a> | <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/1/20/3896010/clippers-vs-wizards-2013-final">SB Nation</a> | <a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/clippers-hold-upset-minded-wizards">AP</a> | <a href="http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2013/01/20/wizards-report-january-20/">WashingtonWizards.com</a> | <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards-vs-clippers-washington-rally-falls-short-as-los-angeles-wins-94-87/2013/01/20/792b6ce4-62a0-11e2-a389-ee565c81c565_story.html">Washington Post</a> | <a href="http://wizofawes.com/2013/01/20/wizards-cant-close-against-clippers/">Wiz of Awes</a> | <a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2013/1/19/3896020/clippers-gut-out-win-over-wizards-94-87">Clips Nation</a> | <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-clippers-wizards-20130120,0,5864939.story">LA Times</a> | <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/clippers/post/_/id/3625/rapid-reaction-clippers-94-wizards-87">ESPN LA</a> | <a href="http://lasportshub.com/2013/01/20/saturday-nights-all-right-for-winning-clippers-defeat-wizards-94-87/">LA Sports Hub</a>]</li>
<li>A few days after facing <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span>, Wall got to play against another former Kentucky teammate Saturday in <span>Eric Bledsoe</span>. [<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wizards-insider/wp/2013/01/19/wizards-john-wall-excited-to-continue-duel-with-clippers-eric-bledsoe/">Wizards Insider</a>]</li>
<li>Either Nene's elbows have force fields, or <span>Blake Griffin</span> flopped on this play. [<a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/20/3896048/heres-blake-griffin-flopping">Us</a> | <a href="http://www.truthaboutit.net/2013/01/gif-have-court-will-flop-yep-its-blake-griffin.html">Truth About It</a>]</li>
<li>Joey Crawford is the Skip Bayless of referees. [<a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2013/1/20/3896132/joey-crawford-was-in-fine-form-in-the-clippers-wizards-game">Clips Nation</a>]</li>
<li>Remember back when the Wizards were winless (those were the days), and the joke was that they were the best team to ever start 0-9, 0-10, etc.? Well, with the way they've played of late, they just might be the best 8-30 team in history, as well. [<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/1/19/3894534/emeka-okafor-wizards-vs-nuggets-2012">SB Nation</a>]</li>
<li>Thomas explains why <span>John Wall</span> is an example of <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/19/3890516/john-wall-franchise-player-espn-scouts-executives-broussard">how NBA executives are bad at their jobs</a>.</li>
<li> <span>Kevin Seraphin</span> had the kind of game we'd all like to see more often from him in Friday's win against the <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets</a>, and it might not be a coincidence that it <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/19/3894356/kevin-seraphin-washington-wizards-denver-nuggets">came against the guy he used to back up in D.C.</a> </li>
<li>More on the win over the Nuggets. [<a href="http://www.truthaboutit.net/2013/01/dc-council-game-37-wizards-112-at-nuggets-108-walls-mile-high-ft-redemption.html">Truth About It</a> | <a href="http://www.wizardsextreme.com/2013-articles/january/we-game-recap-wizards-at-nuggets-john-wall.html">Wizards Extreme</a>]</li>
<li>Do a couple Western Conference reserves deserve a spot on the All-Star team? [<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wizards-insider/wp/2013/01/19/do-reserves-jamal-crawford-and-j-r-smith-deserve-selection-to-nba-all-star-team/">Wizards Insider</a>]</li>
<li>Rumor is the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a> badly want <span>J.J. Redick</span>. [<a href="http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/1/20/3895884/orlando-magic-nba-trade-rumors-2013-jj-redick-celtics-deadline">Orlando Pinstriped Post</a> | <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/2013/1/19/3894112/rumor-celtics-covet-j-j-redick">Celtics Blog</a>]</li>
<li>Noted Wizards-killer <span>Lou Williams</span> will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. [<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/1/19/3894894/lou-williams-injury-knee-out-for-season">SB Nation</a>]</li>
<li>To make matters worse for the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Hawks</a>, <span>Devin Harris</span> went and did this to his ankle. [<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2013/1/19/3895418/devin-harriss-ankle-isnt-supposed-to-turn-this-way">SB Nation</a>]</li>
<li>An interview with <span>Royce White</span> regarding his ongoing dispute with the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a> will air Tuesday night on HBO. [<a href="http://nba.si.com/2013/01/19/rockets-royce-white-mental-health-protocol-hbo/?sct=uk_t11_a5">The Point Forward</a>]</li>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/20/3896446/links-miscues-doom-wizards-against-clippersJeff Newman2013-01-20T01:28:42-05:002013-01-20T01:28:42-05:00Here's Blake Griffin flopping
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<p>This was pretty bad.</p> <p>I promise you: Blake Griffin is an all-star caliber player. Having seen him play so many other games, I hope you can take my word for it. But on this night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Wizards</a>, Griffin reverted back into the annoying flopper/banger type of game that he has exhibited so often. The above gif, <a href="http://www.truthaboutit.net/2013/01/gif-have-court-will-flop-yep-its-blake-griffin.html">via Truth About It</a>, was the most egregious example, but he also induced a lot of questionable foul calls on Trevor Booker in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/BQRMagic/status/292879064916688898">As noted by SBN's Orlando Magic blogger Evan Dunlap,</a> the league has not warned anyone for flopping since December 29. This probably merits that streak being broken.</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/20/3896048/heres-blake-griffin-floppingMike Prada2013-01-20T01:11:25-05:002013-01-20T01:11:25-05:00Wizards beat themselves against Clippers
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<p>Turnovers, offensive rebounds and missed free throws ruined a great effort for the Wizards against one of the league's best, as Washington fell, 94-87.</p> <p>At the end of the day, the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Wizards</a> weren't supposed to beat the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a> on the second game of a back-to-back after an emotional win in Denver. That they even got this close is a strong indication that this recent turnaround is going to carry over for a while.</p>
<p>Still, this 94-87 loss was frustrating because the Wizards very well could have won. The Clippers didn't beat the Wizards; the Wizards beat themselves. Too many turnovers. Too many offensive rebounds. Way too many missed free throws. Inopportune turnovers, such as the weird palming violation that <span>John Wall</span> committed that was nevertheless legitimate. And ... if we're being honest ... a few tough calls that may have gone the Wizards' way against another team. You could look at this as an encouraging sign that arguably the league's best team needed to be bailed out by all of these mistakes, or you could look at this as a discouraging sign that the Wizards once again couldn't pull it out down the stretch. It's up to you.</p>
<p>The Wizards could have tied the game on two occasions. Potential three-point plays by Wall and Nene weren't converted at the end, leaving the Wizards down 1 with 1:33 left. They forced a <span>Chris Paul</span> miss, but couldn't corral the rebound and eventually surrendered a <span>Blake Griffin</span> layup on a beautiful pass from Paul. Then, Wall got called for that palming violation, and Paul put a beautiful move on Wall that may have been aided by a push-off to seal the game with a 14-foot jumper.</p>
<p>The Wizards did the basic things well tonight. They played excellent fundamental defense. They didn't let the Clippers get out into the open floor. They pounded the ball inside where they could. Nothing was easy for L.A., and the Wizards fought hard until the very end. It was just the details that killed them. The Wizards committed 18 turnovers, gave up 22 offensive rebounds and missed 12 free throws. The sequence that sealed the game included a missed free throw, an offensive rebound surrendered and a maddening turnover. That stings.</p>
<p>Oh well.</p>
<p><b>Other notes:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>The Wizards' lack of spacing hurt them in the second quarter. I can understand the strategy of running a post-oriented offense given this team's personnel -- it forces Blake Griffin to play defense and generates easy hoops. But the strategy kept failing because the Clippers sent their double teams along the baseline, away from the Wizards' post players' vision. In addition to that, as soon as Nene, <span>Emeka Okafor</span> or <span>Kevin Seraphin</span> had one foot in the paint, everyone collapsed down. If the Wizards had shooters, they could have made L.A. pay for this strategy, but they didn't have any in.</li>
<li>The Wizards seemed to be making a conscious effort to get the ball to the corner for threes, but the shots weren't really falling from there.</li>
<li> <span>Trevor Booker</span> provided a nice lift in the fourth quarter, especially with how he guarded Griffin. Unfortunately, he couldn't breathe on Griffin without committing a foul.</li>
<li>Nene's clearly not right. Steve Buckhantz mentioned that he's developed tendonitis in his knee to compensate for his foot problems, which is just dandy. He just has absolutely no lift and that kills him against long, athletic teams like the Clippers.</li>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/20/3895836/clippers-vs-wizards-score-finalMike Prada2013-01-19T22:04:55-05:002013-01-19T22:04:55-05:00CP3 will play, start
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> will have to contend with the complete <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a>' roster. Star <span>Chris Paul</span> will return to LA's starting lineup after missing the last three games with a knee injury, according to the Wizards' official Twitter account.</p>
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<p>Chris Paul will start tonight for <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Clippers">#Clippers</a>. He missed last 3 games with a knee injury <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23WizClippers">#WizClippers</a> just 30 min away!</p>
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) <a data-datetime="2013-01-20T02:58:07+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/292828325133553665">January 20, 2013</a>
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<p>Paul was truly a game-time decision for this one, as Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro<a href="https://twitter.com/LAClippers/status/292815960526704641"> did not specify </a>that Paul would suit up in his pregame press conference.</p>
<p>Paul had missed the Clippers' previous three games with a bruised right kneecap, an injury originally suffered a week ago against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a>. In his absence, <span>Eric Bledsoe</span>, the third-year player that starred at Kentucky with <span>John Wall</span>, was elevated into the starting lineup. He led the Clippers to road wins over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a>. </p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/19/3895620/chris-paul-injury-clippers-vs-wizardsMike Prada2013-01-19T21:25:02-05:002013-01-19T21:25:02-05:00Discuss Wizards vs. Clippers here
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<p>Discuss the game here.</p> <table cellspacing="5" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="5"><tbody> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3">2012/2013 NBA Regular Season</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/66/Los_Angeles_Clippers_logo.svg" height="72" width="80"></center></td> <th align="center" width="20">@</th> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/wizards_alt_logo_hand.gif" height="72" width="80"></center></td> </tr> <tr><td align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>January 19, 2013</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Staples Center</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>10:30 p.m.</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>CSN, 106.7 The Fan</strong></td></tr> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>Projected Starting Lineups</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Chris Pau</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240"><span>A.J. Price</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Willie Green</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240"><span>Bradley Beal</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Caron Butler</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240"><span>Martell Webster</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Blake Griffin</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240">Nene</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><p><span>Emeka Okafor</span></p></td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>2012/13 Advanced Stats</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">91.9 (11th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">Pace</th> <td width="240">91.8 (14th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">110.5 (4th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th> <td width="240">97.2 (30th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">100.8 (4th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th> <td width="240">103.6 (10th)</td> </tr> <tr><th height="20" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver">Also see: <a href="http://www.clipsnation.com">Clips Nation</a> | <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/19/3895044/wizards-vs-clippers-2012-preview-schedule">StoryStream</a> | <a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/2013/01/19/fbLAmp4-2358857/index.html">Fast Break</a> </th></tr> </tbody></table>
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<p>Chris Paul was a game-time decision tonight, but<a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/19/3895620/chris-paul-injury-clippers-vs-wizards/in/3659085" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">he will play and start.</a></p>
<p>Late start tonight. What are you drinking? Share your choice in the comments.</p>
<p>GO WIZARDS!</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/19/3895494/wizards-vs-clippers-game-time-tv-schedule-and-open-threadMike Prada2013-01-19T15:08:01-05:002013-01-19T15:08:01-05:00Meet the Clippers
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<p>The Washington Wizards attempt to get another winning streak going as they travel to Los Angeles to take on the Pacific-leading Clippers.</p> <p>Which is more likely: The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> winning five of six games, or the worst team in the NBA beating each of the league's three best teams in the same season? With a win tonight against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a>, Washington could do both and maybe even start to earn some *<i>gasp* </i>respect around the league.</p>
<p>Granted, the Wizards are playing in Los Angeles in the second game of a back-to-back, so it's unlikely they even come away from this with a moral victory, much less an actual. It's still fun to dream, though, and this should at the very least be one of their more entertaining games of the season.</p>
<p>Here's everything you absolutely need to know about tonight's game.</p>
<p><b>Where and When?</b> Tip off is at 10:30 p.m. at the Staples Center. CSN is televising.</p>
<p><b>Are They Good?</b> Yes, you could say that. The 31-9 Clippers have the NBA's fourth best offense, fourth best defense and the NBA's second best record.</p>
<p><b>Why Should I Care?</b> The Clippers are a lot of fun to watch and the Wizards are actually decent. Washington has won four of their last five games and seems to be turning things around now that <span>John Wall</span> and <span>Nene</span> are in the lineup together.</p>
<p><b>Who's Out? </b><span>Cartier Martin</span> is out for Washington, while <span>Chauncey Billups</span> and <span>Trey Thompkins</span> are out for LA. <span>Chris Paul</span> is questionable, too, although his backup, <span>Eric Bledsoe</span>, is so good that the Clippers will be good anyways. Also, while <span>Bradley Beal</span> is expected to play, he took a brutal fall during the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets</a> game last night and it wouldn't be surprising if he has some soreness in his arm and shoulder.</p>
<p><b>What Are They Good At?</b> The Clippers have the best pick and roll game since Amar'e Stoudemire had knees and <span>Steve Nash</span> was an MVP. There are plenty of stats to back this up, but it's probably not even worth it to bring up evidence of just how deadly it is when you combine Paul and Bledsoe with powerful, mobile dunkers like <span>Blake Griffin</span> and DeAndre Jordan.</p>
<p>Los Angeles' guard play is also excellent on its own. <span>Jamal Crawford</span> is having a career year, Bledsoe can play multiple positions at a high level, CP3 is the best point guard on the planet and Chauncey Billups could conceivably contribute once he comes back.</p>
<p><b>What Are They Bad At?</b> Los Angeles is weak on the wings, with <span>Caron Butler</span>, <span>Lamar Odom</span> and <span>Grant Hill</span> not contributing as much as several of their teammates. Worse yet, all of these players are old and declining, rapidly in the case of Odom and Butler, and could be the team's Achilles heel in May. The bright spot on the wings is <span>Matt Barnes</span>, a guy who's performed almost exactly like <span>James Posey</span> for his entire career.</p>
<p><b>More: </b><a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/">Clips Nation</a>.</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/19/3894274/wizards-vs-clippers-preview-miami-oklahoma-city-los-angelesThomas Pruitt