LA Clippers season highlights

Coming off a five point loss during the season opener, the Los Angeles Clippers have since won 3 straight games thanks to the performance of reserve Corey Magette. After losing the opener to the Phoenix Suns at the score of 112-107, the Los Angeles Clippers bounced back to defeat Denver (96-95), Phoenix (114-108) and Portland (102-89), the last two being Pacific Division rivals.

The Los Angeles Clippers after a sub par 2003-2004 season, made a major restructuring last year when they signed Cutino Mobley on a five year deal, then traded guard Marko Jaric for the T-Wolves’ Sam Cassell. Their ploy paid off as they went to the playoffs for the first time since 1997. They also traded power forward Chris Wilcox for Seattle Supersonics’ forward Vladimir Radmanovic. Playing for their first playoff game in 14 seasons, the Los Angeles Clippers made full use of their home court advantage, defeating the Denver Nuggets to move to the Second Round where they met and eventually loss to the Phoenix Suns.

The team has been on a good start, even when marquee player Elton Brand isn’t doing most of the scoring. The team’s balance scoring more than covers for Brand’s low scoring game. With teammates Corey Magette and Sam Cassell taking most of the scoring chores, averaging 18.7 and 24.7 pts respectively, Brand has been more effective on the defensive side getting rebounds and blocking shots like his five swats during their game against the Blazers. Elton Brand’s average of 10.3 pts is nowhere near his career average of 20.2 points, but he is more that willing to let his teammates do the damage as long as they keep on winning.

The team signed in Tim Thomas earlier this year after Radmanovic went over the fence to the Lakers. The team also signed veteran center Aaron Williams.