Game 16 Preview: @ Indiana

LA CLIPPERS (6-9) @ INDIANA PACERS (5-7)

Where: Conseco Fieldhouse

When: Wednesday, November 25 @ 4:00 PST

TV: Prime Ticket / Radio: KFWB980AM and 1330AM in Spanish

CLIPPERS: 2-game winning streak, 3rd Pacific Division, 11th Western Conference

PACERS: 4-game losing streak, 4th Central Division, 9th Eastern Conference

Clippers report: After a big win on national TV over the Nuggets, the Clippers fought tooth and nail with the Timberwolves and eeked out a victory in the final seconds. Although Baron Davis almost went scoreless he did hit his only bucket on a layup to seal the victory. Al Thorton continued his increased offensive production with his first double-double (31 points/10 boards). Over the past 7 games Thorton is averaging 19 PPG on 58% shooting. He and Rasual Butler will have to put pressure on the Pacer forwards as the bulk of their scoring comes from Danny Granger and Dahntay Jones. Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman have to control the boards as the Pacers are not strong in that department. Eric Gordon may play tonight in his return to his hometown. Gordon has been practicing with the team and has been out with a strained groin. The Clippers have be 3-5 without Gordon in the lineup.

Pacers report: Forward Danny Granger leads the Pacers with 25.2 PPG, Earl Watson distributes 3.1 APG and Roy Hibbert pulls down 7.8 RPG. Granger is pushing to make the All-Star team for the East. In their last game, a loss to the Raptors, Granger scored 36 points and made seven 3-pointers. The Pacers have been streaky. The Pacers have gone 0-3, 5-0 and 0-4 giving up 102.1 PPG. Mike Dunleavy Jr. has been out with a knee injury but may return to action tonight to face his father’s team. Troy Murphy has been back from injury as well as the Pacers, like the Clippers, are trying to get their team to full strength.

Game Chat: The Clippers are on a short 2-game East coast swing and will have a slew of home games after. They have been playing better as a team with Thorton and Butler contributing in the scoring department. After Camby and Kaman they do need to find a more aggressive rebounder to help start the break and avoid giving the opponents 2nd chance opportunities. The Pacers aren’t known for their defense this year (strange for a Jim O’Brien squad) but they can score in bunches if you don’t man up on them. The Clippers have had success against Granger as he is only averaging 9.7 PPG against the Clippers. Due to injuries last year Granger did not play in both games against the Clippers.

The team that can impose it’s will should win the game. The only thing is both teams are searching for their identities, trying to get healthy, and one will break the current streak they are on.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING CLIPPERS NATION!

Tags: Al Thorton, Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Danny Granger, Earl Watson, Eric Gordon, Jim O'Brien, Marcus Camby, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Rasual Butler, Roy Hibbert, Troy Murphy