Live From the Press Box - Sonics vs. L.A. Clippers
Want to enjoy the electricity of at KeyArena even if you're thousands of miles away? SUPERSONICS.COM's Live From the Press Box in-game blog is your best bet. All night and all season long, Kevin Pelton will be bringing you pregame quotes, analysis and observations from the game. E-mail Kevin at sonicsconnection@sonics-storm.com. Make sure to keep coming back or refreshing so you get the latest content.
Sonics Get Workmanlike Victory
Final: Sonics 95, L.A. Clippers 88
The Sonics hold on for a 95-88 victory, and tonight's win wasn't real flashy. It was about defense, gritty play, and battling in the paint. The Sonics held the Clippers to 34.6% shooting, held a 49-39 advantage on the glass and held a relatively comfortable lead the last period and a half. Nick Collison stood out in a game that played to his strength, recording season highs of 18 points and 17 rebounds for his third double-double of the year.
The Sonics got very good production from their bench, in contrast to a quiet Clippers reserve group. In addition to Collison, Wally Szczerbiak scored an efficient 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Mickaël Gelabale also deserves a great deal of credit. In the first real experience of his NBA career at point guard, Gelabale played 12 solid minutes, with the Sonics outscoring the Clippers by eight points with Gelabale on the floor.
I've got to pause from my usual recap to take note of a loud group of bare-chested guys in the 200 level tonight. Somehow I missed before that they are apparently Australians, waving around the flag and with A-U-S-S-I-E painted on their chests. The group is too late for the Storm's Lauren Jackson, currently playing in Russia, and two nights too early for the only active Aussie in the NBA, Andrew Bogut, so they're cheering hard for the Sonics tonight.
Hard is at may be to believe, we're just about finished with this lengthy Sonics homestand. They'll close it out Friday, hosting the Milwaukee Bucks and the aforementioned Bogut on "Friday Night Live" presented by Miller Genuine Draft. Rookie Yi Jianlian will be making the first appearance of his NBA career in Seattle. The two foreign big men have helped Milwaukee get off to a solid start. Make sure to
get your tickets for that game!
Clippers Hanging Around
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 91, L.A. Clippers 80
Give the Clippers credit for working hard in the fourth quarter and making a game of this one. They've gotten as close as eight, but time is working against them. It's an 11-point margin with 2:52 to play, though Corey Maggette is headed to the free-throw line. He's going to surpass his average by shooting seven free throws in the fourth quarter alone - the Clippers will have attempted 13 in the period as a team as suddenly this game has become a free-throw shooting contest.
Now's a great time to remind you to go vote for your Sonics for the All-Star Game. Click here to vote, and remember that you can do so once a day online.
Stopping Maggette
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 81, L.A. Clippers 66
One of the topics of conversation before tonight's game was whether the Sonics could keep Corey Maggette, who averages over eight free-throw attempts a game, off the line. The Sonics have struggled with fouls at times this season.
"I told them not to foul Maggette," P.J. Carlesimo joked before the game. "Once again, we identified a problem and we've addressed the problem."
Well, presumably Carlesimo's strategy was a little more complicated than that, and it has surely worked. Maggette has only four free-throw attempts and has been quiet tonight, needing 15 shots to score his 15 points. That's a big reason the Clippers offense has been so impotent.
Sonics Maintaining Lead
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 81, L.A. Clippers 66
The Sonics haven't done much in the way of allowing the Clippers an opening during this fourth quarter. Even after Gonzaga product Dan Dickau started the quarter with a three, the Sonics were charmed when Damien Wilkins answered with a bank triple to beat the buzzer. On the next possession, Aaron Williams was called for an offensive foul to wipe out a bucket and since then the Sonics have maintained total control. Their lead is 15 with 8:56 to play.
Life as a rookie, Al Thornton-style. Thornton drew a laugh on press row when he started early for a jump ball against the taller Nick Collison not once but twice. On the next trip downcourt, Thornton left his feet again to foul Wally Szczerbiak even as his coach was just feet away yelling, "Stay down! Stay down!" Thornton made an impressive move in the paint for a score and he's going to be a good one, but life as a rookie is not easy.
Sonics Hold Clippers at Bay
End Third Quarter: Sonics 73, L.A. Clippers 61
It looked like the Clippers might be on the verge of a run when they got within six midway through the third quarter of play. However, the Sonics rallied and have maintained their lead the rest of this quarter. It's 12 as we head to the final 12 minutes of play.
The Sonics neutralized Chris Kaman during that third quarter. He made one bucket in three attempts and had just two rebounds, slowing down dramatically from his first-half pace. The Clippers improved their shooting in the quarter, but only a little. They're hitting 31.3% through three quarters complete.
Ridnour to Practice Tomorrow
Third Quarter: Sonics 68, L.A. Clippers 57
Sonics point guard Luke Ridnour, who has missed the last three weeks with a torn left quadriceps muscle, is getting closer to returning to the court. Barring something unforeseen, Ridnour has been cleared to go through a live practice with the Sonics tomorrow. He's been doing some drill work lately in practice, and ran sprints along the baseline after yesterday's session.
Could Ridnour return to game action as soon as Friday, when the Sonics host the Milwaukee Bucks?
"Hopefully, just depending on what happens tomorrow," said P.J. Carlesimo before hedging a little. "That may be too soon. I don't know."
Check out SUPERSONICS.COM for a status update after tomorrow's practice, when we should know more.
Sonics Find Range
Third Quarter: Sonics 58, L.A. Clippers 48
As you might expect, the Clippers have shot the ball better here in this third quarter of play, getting up to 31.5% from the field. However, the Sonics have been able to maintain and extend their lead thanks to their success beyond the three-point line. After hitting just one triple in four first-half attempts (the Clippers were 0-for-4 in the half), the Sonics have made three out of four in the third quarter, including back-to-back shots by Damien Wilkins after the Clippers had pulled within three points. There is, however, still a little nagging sense that the Sonics should have a larger lead given how poorly the Clippers have shot the ball.
Chris Wilcox picked up his fourth foul shortly into this period, returning Nick Collison to the game. He has continued to play well.
DECA has Upper Hand in Dodgeball
Halftime: Sonics 43, L.A. Clippers 35
Tonight is Pro Sports Career Day, where high schoolers from around the Seattle area are invited to come early and hear from members of the Sonics & Storm organization and others about how they got their jobs and what they have learned during the course of their careers.
During halftime, members of the groups who attended tonight from DECA and FBLA squared off in three games of dodgeball, with DECA taking a well-earned 2-1 victory.
Sonics Close Half Strong
Halftime: Sonics 43, L.A. Clippers 35
The Sonics did a good job defensively over the last couple of minutes of the first half, which will allow them to take an eight-point lead to the locker room. For the Clippers, the last play of the half was something of a microcosm of the half as a whole - Tim Thomas drove the lane and got a good look at the bucket, but it rolled out. We seem to be talking a lot about missed layups lately, and the Clippers have had a ton in the first half, which is why they're shooting 28.9% from the field. Give the Sonics credit for challenging those shots and making them more difficult than they appear.
Chris Kaman willed the Clippers to stay in the game. He had 15 points and 10 boards, shooting 6-for-13 from the field. Give the Sonics credit for forcing a couple of late turnovers by doing a good job of doubling Kaman and rotating on defense. Nick Collison finishes the first half with 10 points and seven rebounds and starting wingmen Kevin Durant and Damien Wilkins scored eight points apiece.
Putting Up Points
Second Quarter: Sonics 41, L.A. Clippers 35
A veritable offensive explosion by the standards of tonight's game has brought the score to 41-35, with the Sonics maintaining a six-point margin that has been as large as eight at times. Chris Kaman continues to impose his will on the game at one end of the floor, but the Sonics are getting excellent production from Nick Collison, who stepped back into the lineup when Chris Wilcox picked up three fouls.
During the timeout, Robert Swift was wished a happy birthday on SonicsVision. Swift turned 22 on Monday.
Sonics Open it Up
Second Quarter: Sonics 29, L.A. Clippers 23
The Sonics have their largest lead of tonight's game at six points and will take possession after this timeout, the Clippers having apparently made an unforced turnover in trying to bring the ball inbounds. Naturally, that doesn't sit well with Mike Dunleavy, who quickly takes timeout.
Mickaël Gelabale's five-minute stint at the point for the first half has come to an end. Given the Sonics were +5 in that span, it has to be considered a success. Gelabale couldn't get a shot to fall, going 0-for-3, but had three rebounds and an assist. He was very active. Kevin Durant has started to come on for the Sonics in this period after missing all four of his shot attempts in the first quarter. He had a very nice move in transition to get to the bucket for a layup.
Solid Return for Collison
Second Quarter: Sonics 25, L.A. Clippers 21
Nick Collison is back in the lineup for the Sonics after a three-game absence, and has quickly done a good job. The Sonics went to Collison in the post late in that first quarter, as he has a strength advantage on Clippers power forward Tim Thomas. (Johan Petro was playing alongside Collison then; now both Collison and Thomas are playing in the middle for their respective teams.) Collison took advantage to make a very nice turnaround jumper in the post and has hit from the perimeter a couple of times when left open.
The Sonics have gotten 11 points from their bench, the injury-depleted Clippers just six reserve points.
Sonics Take Lead to Second Quarter
End First Quarter: Sonics 18, L.A. Clippers 17
Solid if unspectacular first quarter of play from the Sonics. Despite an 11-point, 7-rebound outburst from Kaman, the Sonics held the Clippers to 28.6% shooting in the period, forced five turnovers and surrendered just one offensive rebound. The Sonics weren't a whole lot more efficient on offense, but they hold the lead.
During the timeout, SonicsVision pays tribute to the late Tommy Kron, a member of the inaugural 1967-68 Sonics team who passed away last week in his native Kentucky. Kron averaged 7.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists during two seasons in Seattle.
Kaman Playing Big for Clippers
First Quarter: L.A. Clippers 13, Sonics 12
We've talked a lot about the development of Chris Kaman this season, which may or may not be tied to the fact that he has cut his unkempt blond locks down to a more manageable length. It's one thing to talk about it or see it in the stats or on TV, however, and a totally different issue when it's happening right before your eyes. Kaman looks like a totally different player, coolly surveying the situation from his perch in the low block and waiting to decide whether to shoot or pass, a decision he rarely seems to blow anymore. Kaman has seven of L.A.'s 13 points and has controlled this game so far.
Defense Carries Sonics Early
First Quarter: Sonics 8, L.A. Clippers 6
The Sonics haven't gotten off to a much better start tonight than they did Sunday against Golden State, but they hold a two-point lead as we take our first timeout of the evening on the strength of their defense. The Clippers are 2-for-10 from the field so far with three turnovers. The Sonics have also benefited from the glass, grabbing three offensive boards to just one for the Clippers.
Los Angeles defensive specialist Quinton Ross is on the bench early after picking up two early fouls defending Sonics rookie Kevin Durant. That makes the Clippers a more dangerous offensive team, but limits them on defense.
Sonics Go Without West
Pregame
Delonte West will not play for the Sonics because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot, an issue that first cropped up during yesterday's practice. Earl Watson will get the start tonight, and while he probably won't go the full 48 minutes, "He'll play a big chunk of it," said Sonics Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo.
With two of their three true point guards sidelined, the Sonics will use second-year swingman Mickaël Gelabale behind West tonight. Gelabale's ability to play the point was a topic of much discussion last season, but tonight will be the first time he plays the position in a game.
"I'm looking forward (to it) with great anticipation," Carlesimo said. "He looked good yesterday in limited minutes. It wasn't like he did the whole practice, but he did some stuff."
Signing On
Pregame
It's the Sonics and the Clippers tonight at KeyArena as we continue this extended homestand that has seen the Sonics play at home over the last week. These two teams met in Los Angeles over the first weekend of the NBA season, a game won by the Clippers, but both will look different tonight. The Clippers have been hit by injuries after getting off to a great start, while the young Sonics have grown since then. We'll see how that translates on the floor tonight.
