CLIPPERS HAVE AN EASY TIME MUCH-RUMORED DEAL UP IN AIR CLIPPERS 100, BOSTON 77.Byline: RICH HAMMOND Rich Hammond Los Angeles Daily News sports writer. Instrumental in bringing the Los Angeles Kings hockey organization closer to the fans. He is the atypical "what a guy" to Kings fans everywhere. Rich Hammond on himself. Staff Writer Ron Artest Ronald (Ron) William Artest Jr. (born November 13 1979) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays with the Sacramento Kings of the NBA. Artest gained reputation as one of the premier defenders in the game today, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year remained in Sacramento, Corey Maggette Corey Antoine Maggette (born November 12 1979, in Melrose Park, Illinois) is an American professional basketball player, positioned at small forward for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. stayed a Clipper, and as the NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= world waited for the other shoe to drop on that trade, the Clippers went about the business of trying to turn around their season. Like a room full of expectant fathers, the Clippers are awaiting word as to when, or if, the Artest circus will come to town. Reports indicate that a deal to send Maggette to Sacramento in exchange for Artest, a volatile but talented forward, is imminent, but another day passed with no official announcement. Instead, the Clippers were left to face the Boston Celtics in a matchup of teams desperate for some positive momentum. The Celtics, losers of three consecutive games, provided the perfect foil for the Clippers, who cruised to a 100-77 victory Wednesday night in front of 17,706 at Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. . ``We're trying to get going and get on a roll,'' Clippers forward Elton Brand Elton Tyron Brand (born March 11, 1979 in Peekskill, New York) is an American All-Star professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Los Angeles Clippers and the USA National Team. said. The Clippers, who had lost seven of their past eight, jumped on a shorthanded Celtics squad and took a 16-point lead after less than eight minutes, behind some sharpshooting sharp·shoot·ing n. 1. High proficiency in shooting firearms. 2. Accurate, often unexpected verbal or written attack. from Tim Thomas and Brand. Thomas finished with a season-high 25 points, Brand contributed 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Chris Kaman did most of his damage in the first quarter, when he had four rebounds and five blocks. The Celtics made 8 of 17 shots in the first quarter but were 15 of 55after that and shot 31.9 percent. ``It's defense that wins games,'' Brand said. ``That's what coach has been telling us. We got some deflections and blocks and steals. We watched a lot of film and tried to box out and play the right way.'' Boston used the slashing of guards Tony Allen and Sebastian Telfair to stay close for a while. The Celtics rallied from their early deficit and closed to within one point late in the first quarter, but the Clippers quickly pushed their advantage back to double digits and were never challenged again. ``Obviously, this game was pretty much a must win, when you play a team with major injuries,'' coach Mike Dunleavy said. ``We had some active hands on defense and did a good job there.'' Both teams played with missing parts. The Clippers were without Sam Cassell, but the Celtics, without leading scorer Paul Pierce, were in much worse shape, and it showed as the Clippers pulled away. ``We needed a win,'' Maggette said. ``Our team is really struggling right now. They had some of their best players down, but we didn't have Sam. It was just good to win.'' Cassell missed a second consecutive game as he deals with plantar fasciitis plantar fasciitis n. Inflammation of the fascia on the plantar surface of the foot, usually at the attachment to the heel, often making it painful to walk. , a painful and often long-term ailment ail·ment n. A physical or mental disorder, especially a mild illness. that causes pain on the bottom of the foot.There is no timetable for Cassell's return, but it is likely to be a matter of weeks. rich.hammond@dailynews.com (818) 713-3611 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: The Clippers' Corey Maggette shoots off-balance against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer |
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