• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Clippers-Pacers Preview

Nov 25, 2009 - 5:13 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Los Angeles (6-9) at Indiana (5-6), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Los Angeles Clippers are looking for a third straight victory and could have a key contributor back to help them achieve it.

Starting guard Eric Gordon could return from a groin injury Wednesday night as the visiting Clippers look to continue their recent success by extending the Indiana Pacers' season-high losing streak to five games.

Gordon was averaging 18.9 points and 4.0 assists through seven games before missing the last eight. Los Angeles (6-9) went 3-5 without its second-year star, who left open the possibility of returning for this contest after scrimmaging with his teammates Sunday.

An Indianapolis native who played one collegiate season at Indiana, Gordon averaged 25.0 points on 54.8 percent shooting in two games against the Pacers last season. He scored 35 on 12 of 18 shooting in a 106-105 home loss to Indiana in the teams' last meeting March 7.

Having Gordon back would certainly deliver a boost as the Clippers try to match a season high with their third consecutive victory.

After a 106-99 win over Denver on Friday, Baron Davis hit a clinching layup for his only points of the game as Los Angeles beat Minnesota 91-87 on Monday.

Davis, averaging 14.9 points for the second straight season, was 1 for 10 from the field and in danger of seeing his streak of 468 consecutive regular-season games with at least one field goal snapped before making the late basket.

"When we needed him the most, he rose to the occasion," Clippers center Marcus Camby said. "I don't think he was frustrated. It's not about how you start, but how you finish. He's one of our go-to guys down the stretch."

With or without Gordon, Los Angeles needs more consistent scoring from Davis to continue stringing wins together. Davis is averaging 22.4 points and 8.0 assists in his last five games against the Pacers.

Los Angeles' Al Thornton had 31 points and 10 rebounds Monday for his first double-double of the season. After averaging 7.4 points and shooting 37.3 percent in his first eight games, Thornton is pouring in 19.4 on 57.6 percent shooting in his last seven.

The third-year forward scored 47 points in two games against the Pacers last season, including 25 in the Clippers' 117-109 double-overtime win at Indiana on Dec. 19.

After splitting the season series in 2008-09, Los Angeles has won consecutive games at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Danny Granger scored a season-high 36 points Tuesday, but Indiana (5-7) fell 123-112 at Toronto for its fourth straight loss after winning five in a row.

While Granger made seven 3-pointers, Indiana allowed at least 100 points for the fourth straight contest. The Pacers are giving up 102.1 points per game on the season and 110.5 during their four-game skid.

"We have aspirations of making the playoffs and this is definitely not getting us going in the right direction," said forward Troy Murphy, who's averaging 9.3 points in six games.

"We have to stop it, regardless of what it is. We have to figure it out quick."

Averaging 25.2 points this season, Granger has been held to 9.7 per game in six career meetings with the Clippers. Injuries forced him to miss both contests against Los Angeles last season.

Pacers swingman Mike Dunleavy could return from a knee injury and make his season debut for the Pacers against the Clippers, who are coached by his father of the same name. The younger Dunleavy averaged 15.1 points in 18 games last season.