CLIPPERS HOPING SUN DOESN'T SET ON THE SEASON LOSS IN PHOENIX COULD ELIMINATE L.A. IN WEST.Byline: JOE STEVENS Staff Writer The Clippers' collective morale was devastated dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. Sunday when they lost to the Sacramento Kings and lost control of their playoff destiny. So Monday, they tried to regroup re·group v. re·grouped, re·group·ing, re·groups v.tr. To arrange in a new grouping. v.intr. 1. To come back together in a tactical formation, as after a dispersal in a retreat. by flying to Phoenix and looking at film. Tonight, the Clippers could be eliminated from the playoff race should they lose to the Suns and if Golden State beats visiting Dallas. The good news for the Clippers is the Suns played in Houston on Monday night and are locked in as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. This will be the Suns' final game of the season, and there appears to be little motivation for them to win, other than pride on Fan Appreciation Night and to head into the playoffs with a victory. However, Suns coach Mike D'Antoni Mike D'Antoni (born May 9, 1951 in Mullens, West Virginia) is an American basketball coach and former basketball player. He holds American and Italian dual citizenship. D'Antoni is currently head coach of the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. told the East Valley Tribune The East Valley Tribune is a daily newspaper serving the East Valley region of metropolitan Phoenix, including cities of Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Casa Grande, Queen Creek, Fountain Hills and other surrounding areas in Arizona's Phoenix metropolitan area, that "We're going to try to win," instead of rest players. In Golden State, Dallas is locked in as the No. 1 seed, but could be motivated to beat the Warriors. The Bay Area team is 2-0 against the Mavericks this season and is the only squad in the NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= with a winning record against them. The Clippers and Warriors are battling for the No. 8 seed and a playoff date with Dallas, so the Mavs may be motivated to try and knock out the Warriors. At least, that's what the Clippers desire. "I am hopeful that Dallas plays a great game and gets a win," coach Mike Dunleavy Mike Dunleavy is the name of two notable persons in basketball, father and son:
No, that's Dallas coach Avery Johnson For the fictional character in the Halo series, see . Avery Johnson (born March 25, 1965 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is a former professional basketball player and current head coach of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks. . And although Sam Cassell Samuel (Sam) James Cassell (born November 18, 1969 in Baltimore, Maryland) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays point guard for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. is a close friend of the Little General, he has no plans of calling and pleading with him to make sure the Mavs play their All-Stars. "I can't ask him that," Cassell said. "He's going to do what's best for his ball club. We're all friends. We still got to take care of our business. We got a big game in Phoenix, and if we come out with the same kind of effort again in the first half (as in the Sacramento loss), we'll get our (butts) whipped again." 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. even said he wouldn't be offended if the Mavs mail in the game. "They handled their business all season," he said. "If they want to rest guys, those guys deserve a rest. We didn't deserve a rest." It appears that the Mavs are leaning toward resting players, although there has been no official word. Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki told reporters, "I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. if we're going to play everybody. Obviously, this game means a lot more to them than to us." Both the Clippers and Warriors also play on Wednesday, with the Clippers hosting New Orleans and the Warriors hosting Portland. But those games should be automatic wins for the home teams, if a playoff berth is at stake. Of course, that "Automatic Win Theory" did not happen Sunday, when the Clippers hosted Sacramento. "We still have to win two games and rely on somebody else," Clippers center Chris Kaman said. Also: Cuttino Mobley is questionable for tonight's game, after straining his calf in the fourth quarter of the Clippers' loss to Sacramento. He did not practice on Monday, but neither did his team, which focused on film and its game plan against Phoenix. joe.stevens@presstelegram.com (562) 499-1338 CAPTION(S): 2 photos, 2 boxes Photo: (1) Sam Cassell and the Clippers lost control of their own destiny after losing to Sacramento. Edna T. Simpson/Daily News (2 -- color) Corey Maggette Box: (1) CLIPPERS at PHOENIX - Joe Stevens (2) PLAYOFF RACE |
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