Game 4
7:30p PT
Fox Sports Prime
980 AM
Archive for October, 2009
Game Thread: Dallas at Clippers
On October - 31 - 2009
A Few Thoughts Ahead of the Mavericks Game
On October - 31 - 2009
Finally had a chance to watch most of Dallas’ big win over the Lakers last night, and the findings were interesting.
80 percent of Dallas’ offensive sets can be reasonably classified as one of two things:
- Pick-and-roll
- Dirk Nowitzki
There’s some overlap here, but Nowitzki — at least Friday night — was employed most frequently as a post-up threat, or in isolation on the wing. Occasionally, Rick Carlisle would spot up Nowitzki on the weak side, run some action low in an effort to lure Dirk’s defender into the play, then whip the ball over the Dirk before the defense could recover.
Weekend Roundup
On October - 31 - 2009
- Kevin Pelton asks Dr. Bill Carroll, author of the forthcoming Carroll Guide to Sports Injuries, about Blake Griffin’s fractured patella. Carroll’s recommendation for the most aggressive treatment would have doctors “surgically attach wires” to repair the fracture.
- The Onion Sports Network has some fun at the Clippers’ expense.
- Early pace and fast break numbers should please those hoping to see the Clippers run more this season. Granted, a game against Phoenix helps pad the stats, but after three games the Clippers rank 9th in the league in pace, and have outscored their opponents 56-29 thus far on the break. Might I suggest that the Clippers’ first unit should be looking to slow things down to take full advantage of their two most efficient offensive players, Chris Kaman and Eric Gordon, who are unguardable one-on-one in the halfcourt?
- Marcus Camby tells Lisa Dillman that his left ankle, which he tweaked in the first quarter last night, should be okay: “I don’t even remember what happened … I remember rolling it. It was a big game. I had to get right back at it. I didn’t want to sit out and let it get stiffened up. I’ll be all right for tomorrow.”
- Rasual Butler might be on a reality show, but he won’t spill the beans.
- Still without Twitter accounts: Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby.
- Mark your calendars for Clips Nation’s viewing party next Friday night down in Long Beach. Steve and the gang will be gathering at The Beach Club Sports Bar on PCH to watch the Clips-Warriors.
Utah 111, Clippers 98
On October - 31 - 2009
What do turnovers have to do with the offensive glass? Both speak to the concept of shot opportunity. Protect the basketball and you’re almost certain to get a shot off. In contrast, a failure to get any offensive rebounds and you’re limiting your shot attempts. The Clippers turn the ball over only nine times on Friday night, but of the 39 available rebounds on their own glass, they collect only three, for a microscopic ORR of 7.6%.
Game Thread/Live Chat: Clippers at Utah
On October - 30 - 2009
Game 3
6:00p PT
Fox Sports Prime
980 AM
Live interactive in-game chat below!