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Not Much Fight In Nets As Clippers Cruise
Authored by Graham Flashner - January 26, 2006 - 6:52 pm
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The Nets problems could be found somewhere in the lower area of Vince Carter’s back. Carter had hit the floor hard in a Monday night loss to Utah, and aggravated what has been a recurring ailment. Carter, the Nets’ leading scorer (24.6) had torched the Clippers for 35 points in a 99-85 Nets win the last time the two teams met.
But his back tightened up during pre-game warm-ups, and Carter looked about as mobile as a giant Redwood, missing 8 of his 9 shots (he did have 5 assists) and leaving the game for good in the third quarter. He was booed every time he touched the ball, by fans still smarting over perceived disrespectful remarks Carter made concerning Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game, remarks that Carter later clarified to local radio.
Even with “Vinsanity” hobbled, it was a surprisingly easy victory, all things considered.
"They beat us pretty good when we played them in Jersey," Coach Mike Dunleavy said, "so we knew what they were capable of.
What the Nets weren’t capable of on this night was putting the ball in the basket. They shot 38%, fell behind by 11 after one quarter, and offered little resistance the rest of the night. They crept to within 58-48 in the third quarter, but a 12-3 Clippers run (5 of them by Elton Brand) jumped the lead to 19, and the game was essentially over.
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As for the Clippers, they shot 48%, outrebounded the Nets 49-37, and were led by Cuttino Mobley (15 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists) and Elton Brand (19 points). Most importantly, with a major road trip looming, Dunleavy was able to rest both Brand and Sam Cassell (17 points, 7 assists) for the entire fourth quarter. “We needed a game like this, before heading to Denver,” said Mobley.
The Nets got a quiet 19 points and 6 assists from Kidd, and 15 from the third part of the triumvirate, Richard Jefferson. Afterwards, Jefferson recounted his own experiences with back pain, implying that Carter was probably pushing the envelope. Not that he blamed him. “We’d love to see what this team can do when we’re all healthy,” he lamented.
After a 3-8 stretch, the Clippers have regained their stride, toughening up defensively, and showing they can beat teams even without bringing their A-game. “What I tell the guys is, play scrappy,” said Mobley. “You want to play with urgency, like your life is on the line.”
“I think our guys know how important it is to win these types of game,” said Dunleavy. For the most part, we have. A couple of times we laid an egg, but we've generally been good. Then you have to fight and claw on the road."
And after this weekend’s home-and-home series with the Nuggets, the Clippers will do just that.
Clipboard: Corey Maggette may be sidelined for at least another month, still trying to recover from the sprained ligament in his left foot…. Cuttino Mobley’s 13 boards were a career high… the Clippers win was only their third in the last 12 games vs. New Jersey… the Clippers 13-18 shooting in the first quarter was their best shooting quarter of the season. |
