What up. Lost in the controversy surrounding last night’s last-second Lakers win and Kobe Bryant’s travel or charge (take your pick) that the shameless NBA refs didn’t have the guts to call, the other Los Angeles team pulled out a big 120-95 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The win was significant for several reasons; it pulled the Clippers to within two games of hitting the .500 mark (they now stand at 11-13), Eric Gordon continues to improve at a rapid pace and the duo of Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman are showing just how important healthy big men are to the team’s playoff prospects.
As ClipsNation.com does a great job of noting, Gordon has been one of the league’s most productive guards. He’s averaging 18 points, connecting on 39% of his threes and has an overall 49% shooting percentage that has drastically gotten better. Against the Wolves, he put up 25 points on 14 shots and was held from hitting 30 only because he missed six of his 13 free throws.
Clippers Center Marcus Camby Dunks during the LA’s 120-95 win.
(AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Camby and Kaman, who each played 36 minutes, combined for 33 points, 28 rebounds, seven assists and six blocks. Kaman is clearly expected to do more on offense than Camby, and his 23 points show that, but Camby’s versatility was in full force last night. He stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks and as Kevin Arnovitz over at ClipperBlog.com has repeatedly pointed out, he’s a key cog in the Clip’s motion offenses.
Whether or not the team will be able to pull together these type of performances against the league’s better opponents still remains to be seen, as does the idea of trading Camby, but for at least another week Clipper fans have reason to be excited.
Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis tries to think happy thoughts during his team’s loss to the Clippers.
(AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Like I said in my last diary, the next two games are there to be won, especially against the lowly Knicks and Al Harrington, who loves to give games away against the Clippers. Getting to 13-13 against Elton Brand and the Sixers would be a sweet bit of revenge, particularly when considering the season Brand and Philly have been having.
So come on Clippers, you can do it!
-Will.
“Diary of a Clippers Fan” will be published Mondays and Thursdays during the regular season.
