LA Clippers out battle the Denver Nuggets at the Staples Center on November 21, 07
The LA Clippers came out like gangbusters while the Denver Nuggets gave a lackluster performance on November 21, 07 at the Staples Center. The end result was a 101-90 win for the home team Clippers. They played with great energy and coach Mike Dunleavy had a great game plan to out strategize Denver coach George Karl. The Clippers used their full roster and got solid performances from just about everyone. They were shorthanded again with Corey Maggette out with a strained hamstring and expected to miss a few more games. Sam Cassell was under the weather and didn’t play in the first half at all. He came in the 3rd quarter and played most of the 4th quarter to provide his consistent leadership and experience to help with the victory. Brevin Knight started but was not too effective and ended up leaving in the 3rd quarter with an injury to his groin. Little used Dan Dickau gave LA some valuable minutes at point guard while Chris Kaman lead the attack again with 17 points and 21 rebounds. Quinton Ross also scored 17 points and played as good of defense possible vs. Allen Iverson.
Iverson, who scored 29 points & had 9 assists kept Denver in the game with some spectacular shots while Marcus Camby scored 18 points and pulled down 18 rebounds. Star player Carmelo Anthony scored 24 points but took some ill advised shots going 8-23 and got into foul trouble. The Nuggets played the night before and looked very wary and out of it. Former #1 pick Kenyan Martin, who missed all of last season, was a virtual no show and didn’t score in 23 minutes of play. Coach Karl and his team showed no emotion and played like they didn’t care except for Iverson and Camby. The Nuggets dropped into a first place tie with the Utah Jazz at 8-4 and the Clippers improved to 6-4.
Dunleavy had every answer with his lineup changes, plays and matchups. The key later in the game was his choice to go with a smaller lineup forcing Camby to defend Tim Thomas. Camby likes to stay down low for rebounds and blocking shots so Thomas drained a couple three pointers, which made Camby, come out to defend him. The low post was now more open and Mobley, Kaman and company took charge and controlled the rest of the game. Next up for the Clippers is a tough road game vs. first place Phoenix before returning home for New Orleans and Houston on Saturday and Monday respectively. This will be a good test for LA as they look to battle and stay in contention with other playoff caliber teams. More info and tickets at www.nba.com/clippers