Record: 17-13 (Pythagorean 18-12), 6th seed in the West
Record last 10 games: 3-7
Laker Record against Clippers: 0-1
Offensive Rating: 105.2 (19th in league)
Defensive Rating: 105.0 (10th in league)
About the Clippers: After starting the season 14-5, the Clippers have been lost at sea. They are 3-8 in their last 11, including a loss last night in Sacramento.
The collapse has been on both sides of the ball. For the first 20 games of the season, the Clippers had an offensive rating of 104.3 (points per 100 opponent possessions), but in the last 10 that has fallen off the charts to 97.8. At least part of that can be blamed on the absence of Corey Maggette to injury, he was averaging 25.5 points per 40 minutes (he was +8.1 per 48 minutes). (Side note: You may notice my numbers here vary some from the numbers above in bolded ratings, that’s because those are from Knickerblogger’s stat page, these I whipped up using a different possession formula and Dougs Stats. They key is both are consistant with what they are being compared to and mine are just here to show the changes in the Clipper O and D.)
On defense, in the first 20 games, the Clips had a defensive rating of 100.1 (opponent points per 100 possessions). In the last 10 that is105.9. The weakest point defensively for the Clippers is at the point, which is not a surprise, Cassell has long been a good offensive player but questionable on the other end of the court.
Right now, I think you could make a good case for Elton Brand as the MVP, and certainly as an All-Star game starter. In the one game between these two teams this season Brand had 23 points and 14 rebounds. Another gut to watch for is Cuttino Mobley, who had 20 in that last game these two played against each other.
One thing I hope to see tonight: A new haircut for Chris Kaman. Or at least that he gets in foul trouble so I can stop making Hulk Hogan jokes everytime he touches the ball.
Also, I want to hear Chris Mihm, former University of Texas star, talk about going to the Rose Bowl game with his USC alumni girlfriend.
The Lakers coming in: The Lakers come in off one of their best all around performances of the year. They shot an insane 67.7% (eFG%) while holding the Sixers to 44.1%. While Iverson shot 50% on the night the Lakers did a good job on the other keys — Webber was 5 of 15, Korver just 3 of 9. Kobe looked rested, Smush was hot and Chris Mihm was a big defensive presence (four blocks on the night). Most importantly, they got ahead and kept their foot on the gas.
Key’s to a Laker win: Sometimes it’s about when you catch teams. The Lakers got the Sixers at the end of a road trip, and they didn’t show much fight once they got down. Tonight they catch a slumping Clippers squad, and while both teams are in the second game of a back-to-back, the Clips had a close game then had to fly back down from Sacramento.
Kobe’s going to be Kobe, but this can be another big game for Smush (or Sasha), scoring on Cassell. I’m curious is Kwame gets another start, my guess is yes with the responsibility of slowing Elton Brand — that will be a key match up. The Lakers need to be aggressive on the offensive glass as well, the Clippers have been the best defensive rebounding team in the league this season (opponents grab 24.4% of missed shots, the league average is close to 28%).
Being tired is no good excuse tonight, this is the kind of game I think playoff teams find a way to win — taking advantage of when you get slumping teams.
John R says
Its not just Maggette, it was Q Ross (the perimeter defensive stopper and Maggette’s backup) and Zeljko Rabraca (the first big man off the bench) all going out at the same time. Take the 2, 6 and 8 man from any NBA team’s depth chart and they will struggle big time. Only Ross has returned so far and his first game back was last night so there will be some conditioning concerns and limited minutes. Having watched so many of the before and after games, it really is that simple. I have high hopes for when the Clips get healthy again, but for tonight at least, this should be the Laker’s game to lose. Complete with jackass crowing from Mychal Thompson, I’m sure.
WHATCHA GONNA DO, BROTHER, WHEN MILLIONS OF KAMANIACS ARE RUNNIN WILD ON YOU?
Patrick says
Nice to see the Lakers win the 2nd night of a back-to-back. Kobe shot the ball 41 times, but at least he had a pretty high eFG%e and had a pretty good all-around game, too.
Is it me, or does Kwame look a little more agressive now? He looks better out there.
Just curious… has anybody ever combined eFG% and TS%? eFG% factors in 3’s but not free throws, TS% is the other way around. Why not have a complete shooting percentage type stat?
John R says
I don’t think there was much to take heart from in that game Laker Fan. Yes, the Lakers had the best player on the court, but if you are counting on hitting 7 3’s in a row just to stay in the game against a seriously depleted Clippers squad, hope the good luck holds…
Also, having been at Staples last night, when did Raider Nation become Laker Nation?
Gatinho says
Wasn’t that Clipper Nation?
HuyNgo says
Patrick, doesn’t TS% also include 3 pointers?
I’m not sure though. I gotta go look up the formula.
Kurt says
Patrick, TS% does include three pointers, it counts all points. The formula is:
TS% = Pts/(2*(FGA + (.44*FTA)))
The theory is this: .44 times free throw attempts is how many shot attempts became free throws (that accounts for the “and ones” and the in-the-penalty shots, smarter guys than I worked out the math). then add the field goal attempts, multiply by two and divide by points. Take out the x2 and it is the formula for points per shot attempt commonly used. The reason to use the x2 (or, just get the points per shot attempt and divide by two) is that it is considered more “easy to understand.” Look at it this way, would people really get that a guy with a 1 point per shot attempt is not nearly as effective as a guy with 1.2 PPA, it doesn’t seem like that much. But, the difference between 50% TS% and 60% seems much greater.
John R says
Nah, I can assure you that if it was a mexican dude with tattoos on his shaved head at Staples on Sat, he was there to see the Lakers. If it was a growing young family out to see a basketball game, they were there to see the Clippers. The difference from all the other games of the season was obvious.
Plus, only a Laker fan would verbally cheer for a accused rapist and admitted adulterer. I mean, I can appreciate and defend his magnificent play, but I can’t actually make physical noise to support him.