Despite a number of dominating spurts by both teams, Monday’s game against the Wizards is a microcosmic win for the Clippers. They play strong half-court defense throughout most of the game, but lose the first half because they can’t control the defensive glass.
There are few players in the league who can sniff out a mismatch better than Antawn Jamison, and he burns the Clippers for 17 first-half points. But apart from Jamison, the Clips bottle up Washington’s perimeter corps. Baron Davis and Chris Kaman are quick to hedge and recover on the pick-and-roll (The Clippers do far less trapping tonight). Eric Gordon harasses Nick Young and DeShawn Stevenson. During their third quarter comeback, the Clippers force the Wizards into some awful contested shots. They lock and trail on Washington’s baseline screens — and promptly switch assignments when necessary (3rd, 4:00, with Butler picking up Jamison).
This strong perimeter defense allows the Camby and Kaman to situate themselves where they’re most useful — close to the basket. They combine for five blocked shots. Unfortunately, Kaman is a little too eager to stuff opposing shooters in the first half, which allows Washington openings on their own backboard. But all in all, the Clippers’ aggressive possession defense works fluently. The win is one of the Clippers’ most complete defensive efforts in the halfcourt this season.
Offensively, the Clips settle for too many leaning, off-balance stuff from long range, but they get huge contributions from Kaman and Gordon. Kaman doesn’t get himself fully on track until the second half, when he recognizes that Washington is offering him the luxury of working one-on-one without much pressure down on the block.
“Not a lot of teams let me do that one-on-one in the post,” Kaman said. “But if teams are going to let me do that, I’m going to score.”
Kaman’s jumper has deserted him in recent weeks, and it was only a matter of time before he calibrated his game — more attention toward using his agility and footwork to beat post defenders and fewer step-back jumpers from 18 feet.
“I started out the game shooting jump shots a little bit, some pick-and-rolls,” Kaman said. “In the second quarter I got a little cold shooting the ball…but in the second half, I got aggressive. My jump shots didn’t fall. I missed on one play we run where I shoot a jump shot. It was kind of a longer one and I missed it. (n.b. 3rd, 10:56) So I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to go inside and try to get some stuff off the post. And it worked.”
Mike Dunleavy attributed some of Kaman’s success closer to the hoop to the Clippers’ wings.
“We had Eric and Rasual both making shots,” Dunleavy said. “If we’re making shots from the outside, then [Kaman] is going to get some single coverage.”
The Wizards adjust their strategy on Kaman in the fourth quarter, but Chris manages the additional pressure well, dishing out three assists in the quarter — one of them a beautiful interior pass to Camby out of the double team (4th, 8:03):
Gordon keeps the Wizards perimeter defenders off-balance much of the night. When they play up, Gordon drives to the hole. When they give him space, either trailing the screen or late to close, Gordon launches a long-range jumper. Eric’s smartest bucket comes at a crucial juncture late in the game when he connects with Marcus Camby (4th, 3:28):
Camby has been tremendous as a playmaker at the top of the circle all season. Here, he motions for Eric to cross to the ball side and, in the process, Eric rubs Stevenson off Kaman. With Stevenson now trailing, Gordon darts across the lane and Camby guides him with a perfect bounce pass just underneath the left side of the hoop. Rather than rush the layup, Gordon pump-fakes, luring Stevenson close, then drawing the contact on the way up. Eric sinks the basket — and one.
The Clips almost cough up the game late. With the Clippers up only a pair with 0:28.1 remaining, Eric gets very, very lucky when he’s inexplicably distracted by Earl Boykins way out in the arc. While Eric’s attention is diverted, Young escapes out to the arc where gets a clean look at a 3PA (4th, 0:16):
Baron Davis shoots 2-for-12 from the field, but knocks down an enormous 3PM at the 6:05 mark of the 4th quarter to vault the Clippers into the lead by two. His shot selection notwithstanding, Baron is gradually establishing real trust with his teammates. There’s a satisfying moment about a minute and a half later when Chris grabs a big offensive board. More times than not, Chris would kick the ball out and the Clippers would reset, but here he takes a moment to recognize an advantageous one-on-one situation against Jamison. Chris dances into the lane with a left-handed dribble, then whirls with a huge baseline pivot and finishes with his right off the glass. Vintage Chris.
Baron, watching from the backcourt, pumps his fist. He then nods at Chris, admiring the swagger.
21 Responses
Kevin, I never compliment you on your work (yet I am hooked on clipperblog), but I have to give you props on your video break downs. I love it!! keep it up…
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Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Can Kaman please stop putting the ball on the floor and just make strong moves!!!! The ball rotation was better they have got to stop with all the jumpers. Gordon should see the ball everytime down the court as he tends to make good things happen. i kept waiting for the clipps to choke and they almost did but they got lucky with the Nick Young shot just missing.
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Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Wow the breakdowns are getting better and better. Evolution over the last few years and now even include video. Amazing.
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Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 9:25 am
[...] [Kevin Arnovitz - Clipper Blog] “Not a lot of teams let me do that one-on-one in the post,” Kaman said. “But if teams are going to let me do that, I’m going to score.” [...]
Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Clippers #1 option on offense is a clear choice – Eric Gordon.
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Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Why did Dunleavy take EJ out for 7 minutes at the start of the second quarter? He was 5-6 and i think 2-3 from 3. After the extended rest I don’t think he scored for the rest of the half. Are they still worried about his hamstring or is this just another Dumbleavy move?
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Eagleace Reply:
December 15th, 2009 at 10:52 am
He spent most of that seven minutes being work on by the training staff. As soon as he took his seat on the bench Dunleavy put him back in. If you remember, late in the first quarter he was fouled hard by Deshawn Stevenson (I think). It looked like he might have tweeked his back on that play. He badly missed the first free attempt.
Anyway, the point is that it wasn’t a “Dumbleavy” move.
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Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Eric Gordon with the steals down the strech gave the clippers a win. I hope the Clips reach the .500 mark with this road trip comming up, wiIth the Wolves, Knicks and 76ers, like the odds.
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Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 11:12 am
The Wizards = The Clippers of the East
Except Abe Pollin was 10 times cooler than DTS.
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Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 11:49 am
[...] Clippers 97, Washington 95 – Clipperblog.com [...]
Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Man, that Nick Young shot was halfway down…
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Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Is anyone else as impressed that we got blown out by the Spurs the previous night and then came back the next night and pulled out a W against the Wizards?
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SamMays Reply:
December 15th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
No. The Wizards suck… They had us way down and if they were any good at all they would have stepped on our neck…
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Curtis Reply:
December 16th, 2009 at 1:54 am
Alright… way to carry the positive momentum.
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RT Reply:
December 16th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
In previous seasons, the Clips probably would have lost this game after being manhandled by the Spurs the previous night. It may not have been the prettiest W ever, but we have to applaud them for going out there and getting it done. You can say the Wiz suck, but we’re still a bottom feeder team, so we need to beat bottom feeder teams to move up. Plus, overall we’ve been playing better lately. There’s no denying that. It doesn’t hurt that EJ came back.
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Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Don’t forget about Brian Skinner’s 11 boards in 13 minutes. He made a great contribution to the team win — not to mention his amazing professionalism. Sitting the bench for 20 odd games before getting some PT. The coaching staff really should get Skinner in the rotation more. When he, Camby, Rasual, and Baron were on the floor, the Clips seemed very mature and steady in their play. Veteran leadership on the court is KEY in the league. I for one vote for more PT for Skinner. His rebounding and solid decision making is sorely needed right now.
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Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
The spurs are like 3 or 4 games ahead of the Clippers in the standings but blew their doors off!
It was like an explosion.
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Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Lets get AR!!!
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Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Gordon and And 1s…Last year, I recall EJ not finishing alot of them. Seems like he is getting better at that and/or he is getting the benefit from the refs. Kevin, do they keep And 1 type stats (i.e misses, makes)?
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D.J. Foster Reply:
December 16th, 2009 at 2:40 am
I haven’t seen them anywhere, but that would be an interesting thing to track. I’m sure it’s somewhere out there.
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Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Great work again Kevin; really enjoy reading your blog
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Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
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