• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Surprising Clippers aim to stay unbeaten against Pistons

Nov 9, 2007 - 3:24 PM LA Clippers (4-0) at Detroit (3-1) 8:00 pm EST

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) - The undermanned Los Angeles Clippers look to remain unbeaten and continue their unexpected early-season success when they take on the Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Friday night.

The Clippers, who join the Boston Celtics as one of two clubs without a loss, secured their fourth straight win on Wednesday with a 104-89 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Sam Cassell scored 35 points for Los Angeles, which started 4-0 for the first time since 1985-86.

It was a much-needed performance by Cassell, who picked up the slack for injured guard Cuttino Mobley (groin) and forward Ruben Patterson (finger). Both players were injured in Wednesday's contest and will be questionable on Friday.

Injuries are nothing new for the Clippers, who lost franchise centerpiece Elton Brand to a serious injury in the offseason. The All-Star forward ruptured his left Achilles tendon while playing 1-on-1 with teammate Chris Kaman during a workout.

Brand most likely will sit out the entire season after surgery to repair the injury. Ironically, Kaman has more than filled the void down low, averaging an astonishing 16.8 points and 16.5 rebounds through four games.

Los Angeles already was shorthanded without reserve point guard Shaun Livingston, who suffered a gruesome injury to his left knee last February - breaking his leg, dislocating his kneecap and tearing multiple ligaments simultaneously.

But without some of their key performers, the Clippers have not missed a beat offensively, averaging 109.0 points in their four wins - second best in the NBA thus far.

The Pistons will be looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season, a 97-93 setback against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. Rasheed Wallace scored 36 points but missed two crucial shots in the waning seconds for Detroit.

The Pistons, who have not lost to the Clippers since November 3, 2002, look to take advantage of their home court after playing three of their first four on the road. Detroit held on for a one-point victory against the Atlanta Hawks in its lone home contest last Sunday.