Los Angeles Clippers(34-37) @
Sacramento Kings(30-40)
WHEN: Friday, March 30 2007 - 7:30 PM PT 10:30 PM ET
WHERE: Arco Arenas - Sacramento, Cali
MEDIA: FSN Prime Ticket; NBA-League Pass; ESPN AM 1110
Season Meetings: Kings won 93-80 Clippers won 102-93
The Los Angeles Clippers are desperately trying to hang on to a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Things won't get much easier for the Clippers when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.
The Clippers (34-37) currently own the eighth and final playoff berth in the West, though four teams are within four games of Los Angeles and one of them is the Kings, who are 3 1/2 games behind.
The Clippers, though, have lost 17 straight at Arco Arena, dating to Nov. 7, 1997. In its only trip there this season, Los Angeles shot 30.9 percent from the field -- still a season low -- in a 93-80 loss on Nov. 28.
In the most recent meeting, however, Los Angeles beat Sacramento 102-93 at home to snap a 14-game overall losing streak in the series. The Kings are still 27-6 against the Clippers since the start of the lockout-shortened 1999 season.
Los Angeles has been playing well of late, winning five of six games before a 92-87 loss to red-hot Houston on Wednesday night. The Clippers had a chance to take the lead in the closing seconds, but 3-point specialist Tim Thomas missed an open 23-footer.
"If we continue to play this well, we will make the playoffs," Clippers forward Elton Brand said. "During the last five games, we have played very well. This could have been a great win for us."
Friday's contest will mark the return of Jason Hart to Sacramento. After playing 66 games for the Kings in 2005-06, he saw action in only 13 this season before he was released on March 1. Hart was quickly picked up by the Clippers, who needed a point guard following the season-ending injury suffered by Shaun Livingston, and he's averaged nearly eight points while starting the last 11 games.
"Seriously, they (the Clippers) have a good team, so I've just come in and tried do my part," said Hart, who had a season-high 16 points, six rebounds and five assists on Wednesday. "I'm trying to make the game easy for the players so they can score. I'm trying to fit in so we can get some victories."
TeamRankings Update:
19th ranked Kings are hosting the 14th ranked Clippers and are projected to win by a margin of 1.6 points or more. The same site gives the Kings a 57.3% chance of winning, while giving the Clippers a 42.6% chance of winning.
On a side note: Gavin Maloof is getting his garage painted today. He may of discussed this with the players before the game, so they might not be focused on the game completely. Just wanted to throw that out there...
And, Martin isn't day to day. He's completely fine. And I believe K9 is also fine, he just didn't get a chance to play last game because of coach's decision.
On a side note: Gavin Maloof is getting his garage painted today. He may of discussed this with the players before the game, so they might not be focused on the game completely. Just wanted to throw that out there...
And, Martin isn't day to day. He's completely fine. And I believe K9 is also fine, he just didn't get a chance to play last game because of coach's decision.
I just go by the ESPN Injury list for the opposing teams and that's what they had, so I just put it. As far as this game being a do-or-die for the Kings, it is, but they are all but out right now unless they run the table[very unlikely]. Either way, they should whup on the Clippers tonight. LA can not win @ Arco Arena and hasn't won consecutive games against the Kings since the 98/99 season.
I'm hoping that the Kings get some ping pong balls also.
Everyone has a shot at winning at also, especially with sam cassell playing.
True, anyone can beat anyone, but Sammy isn't playing, even though it won't make a difference. Clippers have lost 17 straight @ Sacramento, I don't see the Clippers winning tonight unless the Kings just hand it to them.
By the way, this is surprising, two team fans pretty much arguing about the other team winning
16-11 with 5:11 left to go in the first. Clippers up. Sac seems to be trying to hand the game to the Clippers at times, too bad Clips can't take advantage
With 3:05 left, Clippers up 22-15. Time-Out on the floor. Thomas is feeling really good[except for that airball]. Clippers need to start taking it to the hole, sloppy game thus far.
Clippers up 30-19 at the end of one. Kings shooting 26%. I can't get into this game, either the Kings are tanking or Clippers will choke....again to Sac.
8:32 left, time-out on the floor. Clippers up 36-25. Not much to say, this game is pretty boring as I know the Kings will either just hand the game or come back.
Game Thread: Kings Hosting Clippers
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