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The Clippers are failing their mid-season road test. Four games into their season-long seven game Eastern swing they drag a three game losing streak into stop number five Philadelphia for a Friday (4pm PT) clash with the competitive 17-33 76er's. Los Angeles, after a road trip opening 100-89 conquest of the Celtics in Boston a week ago, have lapsed into setbacks at Toronto, New York and Cleveland all by double digit margins.
The 24-25 Clippers were less competitive in Wednesday's 94-77 loss to the Cavaliers than they've been in some time being manhandled 54-42 on the boards, shooting a paltry 34%, scoring a season low 77 points. The team lacked fire and focus Wednesday evening, have since had a day to work through a practice session to tap into both before lacing 'em up against a young, hunger Sixers squad that's playing spirited basketball lately.

Philly's won two straight, three of four and seven of it's last eleven. According to prized sixth man Kyle Korver, since the team's trade of Allen Iverson, they're having fun again and that means they're hustling and battling on every possession. The 76ers dumped Charlotte Wednesday night 92-83 in a game that saw them race to an 18 point lead in the third quarter enroute to their 17th triumph this season.

Since Iverson departed for Denver December 19, it's become the 'Dre squared show in the city of brotherly love. Andre Miller, one of the principles that the 76er's picked up in moving Iverson, and Andre Igoudala are both playing terrific offensive basketball right now. Miller's averaging 16ppg over his last four while continuing to sit sixth in the league in assists from the point guard spot at 8.3apg. Igoudala is emerging than much more than the high flying finisher on the break that he's been in the past. In his third NBA season he's blossoming into a go-to scorer. The new version of A.I. in Philly, he's averaging 23.6ppg over the last ten with two triple/doubles mixed in.

In addition to Miller and Igoudala, the 76ers start athletic rookie Rodney Carney (6.3ppg) at small forward, 7-0 Steven Hunter at power forward and 6-11 shot-swatter Samuel Dalembert at center. That front line has helped Philly limit opposing teams to 42% field goal shooting over the last eleven games defensively.

The Clippers defense, in their current three game losing streak, is yielding 106 ppg while offensively L.A.'s struggling mightily to close games averaging 35.5ppg in the second halves of losses at New York and Cleveland on 30.5% field goal shooting in the last two outings. Despite their struggles the Clips maintain a playoff spot in the West, currently deadlocked with Denver for 7th/8th a game and a half up on Minnesota.

This is the second and final meeting between these two this season. The Clippers persevered in the November 18th Staples Center encounter 103-97 in overtime thanks to 33 points, 12 rebounds and 5 steals from Elton Brand. But Los Angeles hasn't won in Philly in 11 years, dropping nine straight over that stretch. The last Clippers triumph over the Sixers here was March 10, 1996. They were beaten at the Wachovia Center by the 76ers last season 113-108.

:: Philadelphia native Cuttino Mobley to come out all guns blazing in front of family and friends in his only game in his hometown this season. Cat got off strongly averaging 22ppg in the first two on this extended road trip, but he's fallen well off over the last two scoring just 4.5ppg on 3-15 shooting. He's a proud player who will be intent on showing out in this one.

:: Shaun Livingston to continue his recent productive streak of scoring for the Clippers. He's pumped in 14.3ppg on 65.5% field goal accuracy over the last three and there's no reason he can't get good looks at the basketball against the slow footed Andre Miller and his 20 year old back-up Louis Williams in this game. Shaun Livingston's aggressiveness offensively will continue to be encouraged by head coach Mike Dunleavy and should serve this team well over the long haul.

:: The Clippers ability to keep the 76ers from getting easy baskets in the open court to go a long way to determining this game's outcome. While Philly is far from the league's most effecient offensive team executing half court sets, it can be lethal on the break given Andre Miller's skill in delivering the ball to athletic finishers Igoudala, Rodney Carney, Willie Green, Steven Hunter and Samuel Dalembert. It will be essential that Los Angeles control the boards and keep turnovers to a minimum to keep the Sixers from manufacturing a high number of fast break points.

:: Sam Cassell and Elton Brand to assert a leadership will to lead the Clippers to a hard earned victory.

 

 

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