The Pistons (42-16) will be in L.A. to take on the Clippers (19-37) Tip off is 10:30 pm est from the Staples Center and will be televised locally on FSN Detroit
Clippers’ Snapshot
Home record: 11-19
Vs. East: 9-15
Last game: 2/29 (Fri) L 104-110 @ Nuggets
Last 10: 4-6
Last meeting: Nov 9th Clippers (79) @ Pistons (103)
A lot has changed since the Clippers came within a game of going to the 2006 Western Conference Finals. It’s been a series of disappointments leading the Clippers to once again being Los Angeles’ “other” NBA team. They recently moved even further from that 2006 aberration when they bought out veteran PG Sam Cassell who now looks to be Boston bound (like I personally needed another reason to hate the Celtics). Contrary to previous reports Flip Murray will not be filling Sam’s vacancy with L.A., instead staying a little closer signing with the Pacers (finders fee to DBB).
The Pistons will be without their all-star point-guard Chauncey Billups who is in MI dealing with a personal matter, which means rookie Rodney Stuckey will get his first NBA start. This also means Lindsey Hunter and newly acquired Jaun Dixon should see some more minutes, although Lindsey Hunter isn’t real big on getting the PT:
“Twenty minutes? Me? Right now?” he said. “No, no.
“Like I told them (the coaches), use me sparingly. Stuckey’s playing 40 minutes.”
Mr. Big Shot not being in the lineup is a bonus for L.A. because Billups got what he wanted back in November on his way to 23 points and 5 assists.
NOTES:
- This is the last game of a four game roadie for Detroit
- The Pistons have won the last 10 meeting with the Clippers
- Chris Kaman has missed the last four games with a shin contusion and is doubtful tonight. So if you’ve been keeping track the Clippers are without bigs Kaman, Paul Davis, and Elton Brand
- The Clippers are on a four game losing streak
- Clippers rookie Al Thorton had 33 points and 12 boards, both season highs, in the loss to the Nuggets on Friday
- Happy 35th birthday Chris Webber
