Final
Trail Blazers-Clippers Preview
Oct 27, 2010 - 6:16 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS WriterPortland (1-0) at Los Angeles (0-0), 10:30 p.m. EDT
Blake Griffin is giving the Los Angeles Clippers hope. It's a season later than expected, but the beleaguered franchise may not care.
Griffin will try to make a strong first impression when the Clippers open their season against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on Wednesday night.
The Clippers drafted Griffin first overall out of Oklahoma last year in the hopes that he can help turn around a moribund franchise that is dwarfed greatly by the co-tenant Lakers.
The forward didn't even get a chance to start the process, fracturing his left kneecap in Los Angeles' final preseason game and sitting out the entire season. In turn, the Clippers went 29-53 and missed the playoffs for the 15th time in 17 seasons and fourth in a row.
Griffin is back with renewed enthusiasm, and an improved shooting touch. He averaged 17.3 points and 12.3 rebounds in six preseason games.
"Sitting out all year really gave me kind of a different perspective and it really put a fire inside of me and made me realize my love for the game," he said. "I'm really excited."
Griffin and center Chris Kaman will anchor a starting lineup that includes guards Eric Gordon and Baron Davis and likely small forward Ryan Gomes.
Kaman led Los Angeles with a career-high 18.5 points per game, while averaging 9.3 rebounds.
With Kaman and Griffin providing a strong presence up front, the Clippers are hoping Eric Gordon can solidify the backcourt after helping the U.S. national team win the World Championships last month.
Gordon, the seventh overall pick in 2008, averaged 16.9 points last season.
"Most definitely we'll be a whole better team than last year. It's just a better vibe and everybody is listening," he said. "I think the expectations will be fulfilled. We just need to keep guys healthy."
Overseeing the hopeful Clippers is coach Vinny Del Negro, who was hired shortly after being dismissed by Chicago following a second consecutive .500 season and first-round playoff elimination.
"It will start on the defense end for us. We have to be kind of a scrappy, physical, dominant mentality type of defensive team," Del Negro said.
Opening the season against the Trail Blazers (1-0) may not be ideal. The Clippers have dropped nine of 11 to them, including five of six at home.
Portland is opening a four-game road trip after getting its season off to a strong start Tuesday, beating Phoenix 106-92 to gain a measure of revenge for its first-round playoff ouster last spring.
The Blazers haven't started 2-0 since 2004-05.
Brandon Roy, the team leader with 21.5 points per game last season, had 24 points and six assists against the Suns.
While Roy has been Portland's top scorer the last three seasons, Nicolas Batum is trying to show he's capable of providing some offensive balance.
The swingman, who averaged 10.1 points in 2009-10, is trying to build on a superb season-opening performance, scoring 19 points while pulling down 11 boards for his second career double-double. The Frenchman powered an 18-1 run over the final 5:44, scoring 11 points while sinking three 3-pointers.
- NBA
FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PORTLAND 31 23 16 28 98
LA CLIPPERS 23 26 22 17 88 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: POR - BRANDON ROY 22, LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE 19,
NICOLAS BATUM 15
LAC - ERIC GORDON 22, BLAKE GRIFFIN 20,
RASUAL BUTLER 16
Oct 28 1:22 AM - NBA
PORTLAND 70
LA CLIPPERS 71 END, 3RD QTR
Oct 28 12:38 AM - NBA
PORTLAND 54
LA CLIPPERS 49 HALFTIME
Oct 27 11:49 PM
Related News
- Steph Curry Sets Another NBA Record Feb 15
- Sharpe, Ayton Questionable Against Kings Dec 25
- How Long Will It Take the Trail Blazers to Be Good Again? Dec 25
- What Was Your Biggest Trail Blazers Disappointment of 2023? Dec 25
- What’s Your Biggest Trail Blazers Joy This Year? Dec 25
- How Is the Moda Center Experience This Season? Dec 25
- A Christmas Gift for the Portland Trail Blazers Dec 25
- NBA Christmas Day Schedule Open Thread Dec 25
- The 12 Highlights of Trail Blazers Christmas Dec 24
- Favale: Trail Blazers Need to Clear Runway More for Youth Dec 24
- Send Your Questions for Tuesday’s Blazers vs. Kings Game! Dec 24
- Tyler Herro is NOT the Coal in Joe Cronin’s Stocking this Christmas Dec 24