Game 10 Preview: Raptor Hunting

LA CLIPPERS (3-6) vs TORONTO RAPTORS (4-4)

Where: Staples Center

When: Friday, November 13 @ 7:30pm

TV: Prime Ticket / Radio: KFWB980AM

Now on a 2 game winning streak, the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week has to get his team back on the winning track. Chris Kaman has been feeling under the weather but continues to put up consistent numbers. Kaman is averaging 21.7 pts and 9.6 rebounds a game. He’ll need Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Rasual Butler and Al Thorton to step up on both ends of the floor. Clipper starters Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin are still out. The Clippers have been losing in the 4th quarter and have to shore up their defensive intensity if they want to close games out on a winning note.

Their opponents, the Raptors, won their last game against the Chicago Bulls and are 7th in the Eastern Conference. This is their first game of a 4 game Western Conference swing. The Raptors are led by All-Star Chris Bosh (28.9 pts and 11.5 boards a game), 1st round draft pick Andrea Bargnani (19.6 ppg) and fresh off losing in the NBA Finals last year Hedo Turkoglu. Turkoglu signed with Toronto as a free agent instead of staying with the Orlando Magic who are one of the top 3 teams in the East. Jose Calderon is also having a steady year at the point and local product DeMar Derozen returns after a stint with the USC Trojans.

Clippers need this win in the worst way. They have lost the 5 of the last 6 games against the Raptors and will go on a 3 game road trip after tonight. The bench has to help speed up the game when Sebastian Telfair is at the point. Craig Smith, DeAndre Jordan and Ricky Davis have to outplay the Raptor’s bench. Chris Bosh is a handful and can put up 25/20 on any given night.

Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Baron Davis, Blake Griffin, Chris Bosh, Chris Kaman, Craig Smith, DeAndre Jordan, DeMar Derozen, Eric Gordon, Hedo Turkoglu, Marcus Camby, Ricky Davis, Sebastian Telfair