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Los Angeles concludes it's twelve day, seven game Eastern swing this afternoon (4:30pm PT) at the Palace of Auburn Hills against a true contender for Eastern supremacy the white hot Pistons 2-4 thus far on the trip seeking to salvage of the finale.
Sunday's 94-80 loss in Indiana by Mike Dunleavy's squad was probably the most disheartening of the swing. L.A. played thoroughly uninspired basketball hitting just 36% of it's shots from the field, turning the ball over 20 times falling behind by as many as 23 points before succumbing by 14 to a Pacers team that had lost three in a row at home.
The Clippers recent slump offensively (as they've averaged just 84.5ppg over the last four and 89.4 over the past five) is best illustrated by Chris Kaman's Sunday showing. He made just 3-14 shots and continues to be wildly inconsistent with the ball around the basket.
The Clips failure to hold their own on this trip against mediocre to decent Eastern Conference competition may not bode well for them making a playoff run. The caliber of compeition ahead is heartier, beginning against Detroit in this game.
The Pistons are playing their best ball of the season at the moment. Chris Webber has fit beautifully into the tapistry of head coach Flip Saunders motion offense as a high post hub. Since Webber signed as a free agent upon being released by Philly, Detroit is 10-3. 10-2 with him in the starting line-up. This team will again send it's starting back court of Chauncey Billups (18ppg, 8apg) and Richard Hamilton ( 21.9ppg) to the All-Star game.
Up front, long armed defensive specialist Tayshaun Prince, shot-blocking three point shooting renegade Rasheed Wallace and Webber make up a balanced formidible trio. Then off the bench, the Pistons come with the effort and energy of Lindsey Hunter at the point, fiery Carlos Delfino on the wing and scoring, rebounding threat Antonio McDyess inside.
In it's recent six game roll Detroit's outscoring opponents by 12ppg and it's humming offensively to the tune of 99ppg over that stretch. The Pistons KO'd a hot Raptors team in their most recent outing 98-92 Saturday night. This is the first of two meetings this season between the two teams.
L.A.'s lost seven in a row head to head with Detroit and five straight here, last winning November 3, 2002 in Los Angeles February 19, 2001 at the Palace.
:: Rasheed Wallace to make it a rough night on Elton Brand with his rangy defensive prowess. E.B.'s numbers have tailed off as the road trip's progressed. He's averaging a subpar 13ppg on 39% shooting over the last two contests. Wallace is coming off of a stellar showing versus Toronto two nights ago in which he scored 28 points while limiting East All-Star starting power forward Chris Bosh to 14 points. His length figures to give Brand difficulty and he's a confident player at the moment. The Clippers will likely need to find offense elsewhere in this game.
:: Guard play to determine this game's outcome. The tandem of Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton are as good as it gets in the NBA the way that they play off of and complement one another. Billups is a 6-3, 202 physically strong force who's known for his clutch shot-making and protection of the ball (currently second in the NBA with a 3.6:1 assist to turnover ratio). Hamilton's in perpetual motion around many, many screens that will be set for him and then a dead eye mid to long range shooter when he springs free. The Clippers stable of Sam Cassell, Shaun Livingston, Cuttino Mobley, Doug Christie and Quinton Ross must bring "A" games all if L.A. is to compete in this one.
:: Corey Maggette's scoring thrust to return in reserve in this game. Maggette, absent in Philly and Cleveland due to flu-like symptoms, looked rusty in his return to action Sunday in Indy scoring just 8 points while turning the ball over 5 times. His athleticism, ability to get to the rim both in transition and the half court and pride to perform at a high level versus this type of team figures to serve the Clippers well in this game. Don't be surprised by a big showing by Maggette.
:: Chris Kaman to be better inside than he was Sunday versus the Pacers when he made just 3-14 shots. Kaman's a Wyoming, Michigan native and will be jazzed for his homecoming with family and friends in the stands at the Palace of Auburn Hills. He should be able to manuever effectively inside against slow footed Chris Webber providing him with the opportunity to play a big offensive role in this game. His ability to finish on the interior will go a long way towards determining the club's chances of pulling off an upset because he will have ample opportunity to be a game swaying force.
The question of the afternoon will be are the Clippers ready to get back home by mailing in their effort in the final game of a grueling, wearing seven game twelve day road trip or will they bow their collective backs recognizing the opportunity at hand and rise up to battle the mighty Pistons possession to possession? We could know the answer early.
Detroit's bringing a championship swagger to the gym these days in handling New Jersey, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Boston, the Lakers and Toronto in succession. The Pistons are playing at a very high level at both ends of the court and will call forth the absolute best that the Clippers have to offer for this to be a competitive showcase for the full 48 minutes.
L.A. must establish some sort of inside offensive game against the Pistons and get quality play from it's guards at both ends of the court to hang in it. Turnovers must be kept to a minimum, rebounding a priority and shot-making a must if the Clippers are to head home 3-4 on this swing.
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