Game 16 Recap: Murphy Browns the Clippers Turkey

LA CLIPPERS 73 – IN PACERS 86

CLIPPERS     19     24     16     14        73

PACERS        12     22     21     31        86

The Pacers had everything going against them. Leading scorer Danny Granger was out with a sprained ligament in his left knee, they were on a 4-game losing streak, and were getting outplayed for most of the 1st three quarters of this game. Then Pacer big man Troy Murphy decided to take matters into his own hands. Although the numbers aren’t huge by any NBA standards the effect is another road loss for the Clippers. Being down by as much as 11 points and down 4 going into the 4th quarter, Murphy scored 10 of his 18 points in the final period to not only make up the deficit but to essentially blow out the Clippers by the final margin of 13. Not good.

Eric Gordon did make his return after being out 8 games with a strained groin. First off the bench, Gordon did play 27 minutes but only contributed 6 points on a Clipper bench squad that got outscored again 18-22. Baron Davis led the Clippers with 25 points (11-19 FG and 3-4 on 3’s) but only had 2 assists. Davis had a small scuffle with TJ Ford and proceeded to score the next 7 points. “He was just trying to frustrate me but I wouldn’t let that happen”. Well this loss better frustrate you.  The entire Clipper team only had 9 total assists… part of that is contributed to their 32% shooting from the field. Marcus Camby did all he could scoring 15 points and pulling down 21 rebounds. Chris Kaman continued his dwindling numbers for the week finishing this game with 10 points and 10 rebounds. One of the biggest problems was although Granger was out, the Clipper forwards did not take advantage and provide any contributions. Rasual Butler and Al Thorton have been playing well lately but only put in 5 points and pulled down 10 rebounds… together!

Besides Murphy’s 18 points, Dahntay Jones chipped in 18 points and Brandon Rush outplayed all Clipper small forwards with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Another 4th quarter collapse to a team down their best player. It’s getting harder to figure out and maybe it’s time to stop analyzing everything and go out there and play. This team is built on players that can’t play with structure and discipline. The offense is getting predictable and crunch time seems to make them take wild 3 pointers and turn the ball over. Coach Dunleavy had better get them to play loose and have fun. Maybe more of a streetball flair will confuse the opponents into performing like… well like the Clippers.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

Tags: Al Thorton, Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Danny Granger, Marcus Camby, Mike Dunleavy, Rasual Butler, TJ Ford, Troy Murphy