Clippers!

[jhwalker]

[Tetge]

Naturally I watched the entire game, and I was surprised that the Clippers found a way to win without Paul. Now they can hold Paul out for another game at least. So it was a good win. Not a pretty game to watch as it was sloppy and there was some hacking of Jordan and Howard happening. But, a win is a win.

[jhwalker]

When Houston watches that film, they will not believe how badly they played. But, the Clippers DO have some players, and when it suddenly occurred to them that they COULD win that game, they worked hard. Howard and Jordan are an interesting matchup.

[Tetge]

When Houston watches that film, they will not believe how badly they played. But, the Clippers DO have some players, and when it suddenly occurred to them that they COULD win that game, they worked hard. Howard and Jordan are an interesting matchup.

According to the broadcasters, Howard, was a hero to Jordan, and they are good friends who work out together in the off season. It seemed that they got a little feisty during the game, but, even good friends can get that way when the game starts and it is on. Although they call some fouls for barely a touch, the big men of basketball are involved in a very physical game and a lot of it is ignored by the refs. And, Jordan was not notably over powered by Howard during the game. They also are both lousy free shooters and, in both cases if they could shoot 80% or more, they would be total offensive monsters. But, in the current game, with the hacking strategy happening, they both could be liabilities at critical times. It is hard to understand why they have not improved as free throw shooters, as others have. But, it has to be a mental thing, and, mental things can not always be explained or corrected (or so I have heard).

Anyway, if I were Doc, I'd roll the dice and hold Paul out for next game. In fact, I'd rest him again if the Clippers somehow got the second game. Hamstrings are not something that recover quickly, although who knows how bad it is or if it can be used without the possibility of further injury? Some of these pro players appear to bounce back from injuries very quickly and they all play in pain at times, or even all the time.

[jhwalker]

Interestingly, the coaches were discussing the free-throw issue and Doc Rivers was saying that with the 3 Rockets that shoot free throws badly, the Clippers have 2nd and 3rd strike capability if the Rockets start fouling.

And bebe grande seems to hold his own, because when Jordan sits, Dwight sits.

[jhwalker]

It looked like the Clips were going to come out and mail it in like Chicago did early tonight, but they are competing. The two fouls on Jordan in the first couple of minutes were killers. It looks to me like they have studied a lot of film on the Beard. He has been stripped a couple of times by a secondary defender...

[Tetge]

Clippers are up at the half much to my amazement. But, there is still the second half. If they could win, they might be able to hold Paul out until the next series, which would be really good with a hamstring issue. But, one can never tell what will happen in the second half of a pro game.

[jhwalker]

Blake can't stay as hot as he was in the 1st half. Someone else needs to step up.

[jhwalker]

And Blake just picked up 3rd foul. I think that the tide has turned. Hope I am wrong.

[jhwalker]

That is the strangest group of Clippers that I have ever seen on the floor.

Should be a hell of a 4th Q.