• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Clippers open campaign where last season's run ended

Nov 1, 2006 - 4:45 PM LA Clippers (0-0) at Phoenix (0-1) 10:30 pm EST

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Clippers start the 2006-07 season where previous campaign ended, in Phoenix.

The Clippers seek revenge against their Pacific division foe the Suns when they open the season on Wednesday.

On May 22, Los Angeles absorbed a 127-107 loss to Phoenix in Game Seven of the Western Conference semifinals, ending a successful run for the Clippers, who earned a sixth seed and made their first visit to the playoffs in nine seasons.

Due to an MVP type performance from Elton Brand, who averaged 24.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks a game, Los Angeles was not a beneficiary of the draft lottery. The Clippers picked Paul Davis in the second round. As far as offseason acquisitions, they inked former Sun Tim Thomas and veteran journeyman Aaron Williams.

Meanwhile, the Suns aim to rebound from a shocking 114-106 loss Tuesday to a shorthanded Lakers' team, which did not have superstar Kobe Bryant to call upon. The league's leading scorer last season at 35.4 points sat out due to soreness in his surgically repaired right knee.

Leandro Barbosa scored 30 points off the bench and Shawn Marion added 16, seven rebounds and four blocks for Phoenix, which allowed the Lakers to shoot 55 percent (46-of-83).

Two-time reigning MVP Steve Nash collected 15 points and 13 assists and Amare Stoudemire contributed six points in 12 minutes off the bench for the Suns, who committed 21 turnovers.

The Clippers split their four regular-season meetings with the Suns last season.