Looking For A Win In L.A....

December 22, 1:20 p.m. A cold and rainy Monday morning in L.A. Yes, L.A. has days like this, although not many. The Raptors finish the first part of their six-game road trip out West tonight against the Clippers. After the game, the Raptors will take the red-eye home for two days and then we'll leave Christmas Day to Sacramento for the final three games. The Clips are not a good 3-point shooting team at 30 per cent on the season. The defensive tactic that the Raps have been using against teams, clogging the middle and making them beat them from outside, should have some life tonight. The game can be seen on TSN2 tonight at 10:30 p.m. Unfortunately, I have nothing new to report on the status of Rogers and TSN. The Celtics have won a franchise record 18 straight. Just think of all the great Celtics teams with Bird, DJ, McHale, Russell, Cousy, Havlicek and this year's team may be the best of them all. Well, we'll know that in June. Michael Jordan told Ray Allen this past summer, if you win one title you're lucky. Looks like the C's don't need the luck of the Irish this season. The Celtics record of 26-2 ties the 1966-67 Sixers and the 1969-70 Knicks for the best start by an NBA team. Those two teams went on to win NBA titles. Everyone in L.A., is already talking about the Christmas Day showdown between the Celtics and the Lakers. Is the Eastern Conference finally better than the West? The top is, with Boston, Cleveland and Orlando. But the West still has the depth. Did you hear LeBron mention signing a contract extension this summer? Oh no! What's New York going to do? Mike Bibby led the Hawks over the Pistons. Detroit had won 12 of 16 vs. Atlanta. Ex-Hawks GM Billy Knight is smiling somewhere, he drafted and put this team together. Yes he passed on Chris Paul but he did trade for Bibby. The Hawks have won 5 of 6 with their only loss coming against the Celtics by three points. Happy Holidays to you! mdevlin@raptors.com