CLIPPERS NOTEBOOK: A SOFT SPOT IN CLIPPERS' SCHEDULE?Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff WriterThe Clippers play three important games in the next five days, a stretch which could determine whether they can compete in the Western Conference. Yes, it's early, but the Clippers' 0-3 start has put their plans to make the playoffs behind schedule. Tonight's game with winless Sacramento (0-3) is crucial, since the Clippers embark on a four-game road trip next week. ``We've got to find (how to win) within ourselves,'' Clippers coach Bill Fitch William Fitch (born May 19 1934 in Davenport, Iowa) is a former NBA coach who has been successful in making teams playoff contenders throughout his coaching career. Before entering the professional ranks he coached college ball at the University of Minnesota, Bowling Green State said. ``I'm surprised these guys have taken so long to come together. But that's the game; we have to find a way to do it. 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. how.'' The Clippers have opened with a tough schedule, but a positive start was almost essential for a good season. The club started 4-2 last season and that provided some momentum. Since the road trip will be followed by games with Chicago and the Lakers, the Clippers have four opportunities to grab some wins: tonight, Saturday's game with Phoenix, Vancouver (road game Tuesday) and Milwaukee (at home Thursday). Four of the five starters are struggling, including Loy Vaught Loy Stephen Vaught (born February 27, 1968 in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is a retired American basketball player who spent ten seasons in the NBA, primarily with the Los Angeles Clippers. and Darrick Martin Darrick David Martin (born March 6, 1971 in Denver, Colorado, United States) is an American professional basketball player, currently with the NBA's Toronto Raptors. Martin has became known as a solid veteran who provided quality minutes as a reserve, maintaining a career free . The club is depending on the bench for support. Rookies Keith Closs Keith Mitchell Closs (born April 3, 1976 in Hartford, Connecticut) is an American professional basketball player. The 7-foot 3-inch player from Central Connecticut State University played three seasons as a backup center for the National Basketball Association's Los Angeles and Maurice Taylor Maurice De Shawn Taylor (born October 30, 1976 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American professional basketball player at the power forward position. He was most recently with the NBA's Sacramento Kings, released on January 23, 2007. played well in Wednesday's blowout loss to the Houston Rockets. CLIPPERS VS. SACRAMENTO Tipoff: 7:30 p.m., Arce Arena TV/Radio: No TV; KEZY-FM 95.9; KLITE-FM 92.7. Clippers (0-3) update: The Clippers played terribly in a 118-94 loss to Houston and now face their first sub-.500 team of the season. Four starters are struggling, including Loy Vaught and Rodney Rogers Rodney Ray Rogers (born June 20, 1971, in Durham, North Carolina) is a retired American basketball player who last played power forward for the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers. Rogers played college basketball at Wake Forest University from 1990 until 1993. , who have failed to score 15 points in the first three games. Rogers and Vaught were expected to produce at least 30 points per game. Brent Barry is leading the Clippers in scoring with 21.3 points per game. The Clippers are completely healthy - Eric Piatkowski returned for the Houston game. Kings (0-3) update: Mitch Richmond is still a member of the Kings, and he still kills the Clippers every time out. Sacramento is struggling at the guard position, as Bobby Hurley has yet to produce in the starting role. CAPTION(S): Box Box: CLIPPERS vs. SACRAMENTO (see text) |
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