SB Nation Los Angeles - Clippers preseason: Chris Paul begins second season in Los Angeleshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2012-10-25T07:00:10-07:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/32310152012-10-25T07:00:10-07:002012-10-25T07:00:10-07:00Clippers, Nuggets meet for final preseason game
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Los Angeles and Denver meet for their final preseason game on Thursday night.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a> and <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Nuggets</a> will meet on Thursday night at the Pepsi Center. The Clippers will end their preseason slate with the game, while Denver has one left to play. The game should allow both squads to get a few last-minute preparations in before the regular season begins next week.</p>
<p>The Clippers are playing back-to-back games this evening after taking on the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a> on Wednesday night. The projected starters are <span>Chris Paul</span>, <span>Willie Green</span>, <span>Caron Butler</span>, <span>Blake Griffin</span> and <span>DeAndre Jordan</span>, although it is unclear how much head coach <span>Vinny Del Negro</span> will play his regulars.</p>
<p>The Nuggets are 3-2 in the preseason, although they've lost their last two games. Look for <span>Danilo Gallinari</span>,<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span><span>Kenneth Faried</span>, <span>Kosta Koufos</span>, <span>JaVale McGee</span>, <span>Ty Lawson</span><span style="line-height: 9px;"> and </span><span>Andre Iguodala</span> to all see plenty of minutes as the team continues gelling together after multiple moves the past few years.</p>
<p>Tipoff from Denver is set for 7 p.m. PT. It will be televised live on TNT.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/10/25/3546696/clippers-vs-nuggets-nba-preseason-game-preview-tvScott Coleman2012-10-24T20:52:30-07:002012-10-24T20:52:30-07:00Clippers lead Lakers by nine at halftime
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<p>The <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Lakers</a> currently trail the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a>, 49-40, in the Staples Center.</p>
<p><span>Eric Bledsoe</span> leads the way for the Clippers with 10 points, six steals and three assists. Bledsoe finished off the half with an impressive alley-oop lob to <span>DeAndre Jordan</span>. <span>Blake Griffin</span> put up ten points and five rebounds to go with three assists and one steal. <span>Matt Barnes</span> piled on ten points, two assists and a rebound. Jordan added six points and five rebounds. <span>Ryan Hollins</span> and <span>Marqus Blakely</span> added five points each.</p>
<p><span>Robert Sacre</span> leads the Lakers with seven points and four rebounds. <span>Jodie Meeks</span> and <span>Jordan Hill</span> added six points each. <span>Pau Gasol</span> has two points and five rebounds, and Steve Nash has four points and four assists.</p>
<p>Lakers shooting guard <span>Kobe Bryant</span> is not playing tonight due to a sore foot. Lakers center <span>Dwight Howard</span> is also sitting out, as is Clippers point guard <span>Chris Paul</span>.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/10/24/3552064/clippers-vs-warriors-nba-preseason-game-score-updateAvinash Kunnath2012-10-24T05:00:55-07:002012-10-24T05:00:55-07:00Lakers face Clippers in preseason match
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<figcaption>Harry How</figcaption>
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<p>The Los Angeles Lakers look for their first preseason win against the Clippers.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> will face off with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> in the Staples Center. Both teams provide what figures to be a preview of two of the premier contenders in the Western Conference. <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8539002/kobe-bryant-sits-los-angeles-lakers-practice-bruised-foot">One of the main attractions may not be available, as Kobe Bryant missed practice with a strained right foot</a>.</p>
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<p>"They told me it was day to day and when they tell me it's day to day, that means that, in my opinion, at any day he can be released to play again," said Lakers coach Mike Brown. "I'll just wait for them to clear him and then he'll be playing again."</p>
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<p>Both the Lakers and the Clippers made the playoffs last season, as they advanced out of the first round after competitive seven-game series, but both teams were knocked out of the playoffs in the second round by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> respectively. <br><br>The Lakers and Clippers have stockpiled this offseason. The Lakers made a deal that landed them <span>Dwight Howard</span> in exchange for <span>Andrew Bynum</span> and multiple assets, and they also managed to land <span>Steve Nash</span>. Meanwhile, the Clippers signed a great deal of talent to complement <span>Chris Paul</span> and <span>Blake Griffin</span>, like <span>Lamar Odom</span> and <span>Jamal Crawford</span>.<br><br>The Lakers are currently 0-6 in the preseason, while the Clippers are 3-3. The game will take place on NBA TV at 10:30 PM Eastern time, 7:30 PM Pacific.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2012/10/24/3542182/lakers-vs-clippers-nba-preseason-game-previewAvinash Kunnath2012-10-23T19:30:34-07:002012-10-23T19:30:34-07:00Grant Hill's bad knee will keep him out of opener
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<figcaption>Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Grant Hill hasn't played since the Clippers returned from China and a MRI revealed a bone bruise in the aging forward's knee.</p> <p><a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a> forward <span>Grant Hill</span> will likely miss the Clipper's first game and possibly more, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/hill-375484-clippers-negro.html">the Orange County Register reported on Tuesday</a>.</p>
<p>Hill had an MRI performed on his injured right knee that revealed on bone bruise on Tuesday. He said his injury is likely to keep him out at least a couple of weeks.</p>
<p>Hill played in two preseason games against the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a> in China but hasn't played in the preseason since then. He didn't practice on Tuesday as the veteran forward tries to recover. Hill, at age 40, is the second oldest player in the NBA behind <span>Tim Thomas</span>.</p>
<p>He was often considered one of the better players in the league during his prime, but Hill's career has been marred by injuries. He has missed substantial time in a season in eight of his 17 years in the NBA.</p>
<p>Hill was signed by the Clippers to compete with <span>Matt Barnes</span> for the starting shooting guard spot until <span>Chauncey Billups</span> returns from injury.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/10/23/3546218/grant-hill-injury-update-knee-bone-bruisePeter Woodburn2012-10-22T22:45:30-07:002012-10-22T22:45:30-07:00Clippers handle Warriors
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<figcaption>Stephen Dunn</figcaption>
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<p>The Los Angeles Clippers improved to .500 in the preseason by shutting down the Golden State Warriors.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a> handily in their sixth preseason game by a final score of 88-71. The Clippers improved to 3-3 and dropped the Warriors to 4-2.<br><br>The Clippers dominated early, taking a 27-19 lead after one period, extending it to 52-39 at halftime, and put the game out of reach with a 79-53 lead after three quarters.<br><br>The Clippers were led by <span>DeAndre Jordan</span>, who scored 18 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and blocked three shots. <span>Blake Griffin</span> added 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists, <span>Chris Paul</span> put up 11 points, nine assists and two steals. <span>Ryan Hollins</span> added 10 points, seven rebounds and three blocks off the bench, <span>Eric Bledsoe</span> provided eight points and six rebounds, <span>Caron Butler</span> added seven points, and <span>Ronny Turiaf</span> hauled in 11 rebounds.<br><br>The Warriors were led by <span>Jarrett Jack</span>, who scored 14 points, and <span>David Lee</span>, who put up 12 points and nine rebounds.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/10/22/3542028/clippers-vs-warriors-nba-preseason-final-score-recapAvinash Kunnath2012-10-22T16:22:06-07:002012-10-22T16:22:06-07:00Chris Paul to lead Clips vs. GSW on Monday
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<figcaption>Harry How</figcaption>
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<p>Chris Paul and the 2-3 Los Angeles Clippers will take on the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at Staples Center, in a bid to get to .500 in the preseason.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a> will host the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Golden State Warriors</a> at 7:30 p.m. PT on Monday night at Staples Center.</p>
<p>The 2-3 Clippers will try to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20121022/GSWLAC/gameinfo.html?ls=iref:nbahpgt[0011200094]">even their preseason record</a> while the Warriors will try to build on an impressive 5-1 mark. <span>Chris Paul</span> has returned from offseason thumb surgery and looks to be fully healed as he will likely start once again on Monday night.</p>
<p><span>Matt Barnes</span>, <span>Ronny Turiaf</span>, <span>DeAndre Jordan</span> and <span>Travis Leslie</span> round out the list of probable starters for the contest. Leslie, a second-year, 6'4 guard out of the University of Georgia will get his second start of the preseason after posting a stat line of two points, two rebounds and two assists in 11 minutes against the Utah Jazz on Oct. 20.</p>
<p><span>Chauncey Billups</span> remains out with a torn Achilles, but is targeting a November return. Also out for the Clippers is <span>Trey Thompkins</span>, who is dealing with a bone bruise in his left knee. Of note to miss the game for Golden State are <span>Stephen Curry</span> and <span>Andrew Bogut</span>.</p>
<p>The Clippers have three more preseason games remaining, including Monday night's game.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/10/22/3540704/clippers-vs-warriors-nba-preseason-game-previewMichael Jones2012-10-20T06:01:13-07:002012-10-20T06:01:13-07:00Lamar Odom showing little interest in fresh start
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<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>It wasn't long ago that Lamar Odom was a versatile big man with a set of skills that made coaches druel. After a lost year in Dallas with the Mavericks, it appears that he is still on a downward spiral despite being given a second chance where his career started. </p> <p>There's no question that <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a>' forward <span>Lamar Odom</span> has the tools to be one of the NBA's most versatile and effective players -- he's always had them.</p>
<p>The trouble is like many of his predecessors, he's failed to exhibit the work ethic that takes gifted players into the upper echelon of NBA stardom. The issues with Odom over the past few years have been well-documented: He was involved in a car accident that resulted in a fatality, had to deal with the shooting death of his cousin and married the sister of an A-lister known for finding drama.</p>
<p>It's not hard to imagine why basketball took a back seat.</p>
<p>After putting up a season stat line of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/odomla01.html">career worsts</a> with the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Mavericks</a> -- 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and a laughable 9.2 PER -- Odom has been given a second chance with the Clippers. It's his last opportunity to experience a career comeback and rebirth of sorts, and perhaps the familiar confines of Staples Center could be exactly what he needs to find motivation and regain at least some of the passion fans in Los Angeles saw just a few short seasons ago.</p>
<p>But apparently, he's not treating it as such. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-clippers-20121018,0,3253577.story">According to the Los Angeles Times</a>, Odom was held out of the Clippers' preseason game against the <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Utah Jazz</a> on Oct. 17 at Staples Center because he was out of shape and overweight.</p>
<p>That doesn't sound like the conditioning of a player who has, for all intents and purposes, been given his proverbial last rites. The most troubling aspect of Odom's decline is the lost potential. He had his best years with the Los Angeles <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a>, capped by a Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2010-2011 and two NBA titles while wearing the purple and gold.</p>
<p>But he managed to throw away golden opportunities to be a truly special player early in his career with behavioral issues, and it appears that the Clippers could get a second look at the 'bad' Lamar. That's right, the one who doesn't care about basketball anymore.</p>
<p>Odom has to know that this is his last chance, but if he doesn't perform now, then it proves his heart just isn't in it anymore. That's unfortunate for Clippers fans who looked forward to seeing him regain form where it all started for the Rhode Island product in 1999. More importantly, it's a loss for the NBA, which has had few players with the capabilities of Odom over the course of its long history.</p>
<p><i>Follow Michael C. Jones on Twitter <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/mikejonestweets">@MikeJonesTweets</a></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/10/20/3529320/los-angeles-clippers-preseason-does-lamar-odom-want-to-playMichael Jones2012-10-19T22:47:14-07:002012-10-19T22:47:14-07:00Kevin Love injury could earn Clips F Griffin $15M
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<figcaption>Jeff Gross</figcaption>
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<p>Kevin Love's injury could make it easier for Blake Griffin to be a starter in the 2013 All-Star Game or make the All-NBA team, either of which would earn him an extra $15 million.</p> <p><a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Lakers</a> superstar forward <span>Blake Griffin</span> could see his paycheck grow substantially larger in the wake of <span>Kevin Love's</span> hand injury, which will keep the <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Timberwolves</a>' lead man out for roughly six weeks.</p>
<p>Griffin has specific incentives in his contract that award him $15 million in bonuses if he starts in the 2013 NBA All-Star game or make second team All-NBA, according to SB Nation's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2012/10/18/3522344/how-kevin-loves-injury-could-cost-donald-sterling-15m">Clips Nation blog.</a></p>
<p>Love is a threat to both of those achievements for Griffin as a perennial All-Star himself and a stat-filling machine. When healthy, he figures to be a legitimate threat to Griffin in terms of reaching those incentives. The injury and subsequent missed time will open the door for Griffin to easily obtain one of those criteria.</p>
<p>Other forwards in the Western Conference such as <span>Pau Gasol</span>, <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> and <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> surpassing Griffin in the fan voting for the All-Star contest is an unlikely scenario, and the injury to Love all but certainly ensures Griffin's bonus.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2012/10/19/3527056/blake-griffin-clippers-extension-kevin-love-injuryMichael Jones