Wednesday, January 12, 2005
GAME 34: CLIPPERS 103, SUPERSONICS 92
Clippers 103, SuperSonics 92
(final content posted ~11:13p)
Ever get that feeling way before the game is actually over that your team is not going to win? I think I had that feeling somewhere really early in the fourth quarter. Just one of the many times tonight that the Sonics got close and the Clippers managed to widen the lead once again.
It just wasn't meant to be tonight.
Here's what I have for ye olde game...
1st qtr
10:46 Evans lefty layup down low is first basket of game. 3:40 Lewis three right side, first of night for Sonics; they missed the first six. Sonics shooting like crap. 2:58 Fortson ties up Brand on a scramble for a jump ball in front of their own basket. 2:13 Sonics have 5 turnovers. 1:34 Daniels three, LAC 21-18. 1:04 Allen reverse layup miss cleaned up by Fortson, fouled TIE 21-21.
After one quarter -- Clippers 24, SuperSonics 23
Toward the end of the quarter, it seemed like the Sonics had no answer for Corey Maggette, which as I've mentioned makes me sick because he was drafted by the Sonics. Anyway, the Sonics shot 33% in the first quarter (8-for-24) and were 2-for-10 from beyond the arc. The Clippers hit two more baskets than the Sonics, with the same number of attempts. The Clippers had a 9-3 run at one point, but the Sonics fought back with a 6-0 run of their own. Reggie Evans is leading the team with 8 points and 5 rebounds. Ray Allen has four points, three Sonics have 3 points each. The Sonics turned the ball over 5 times in the first quarter, and the Cloppers outscored the Sonics 16-12 in the paint.
2nd qtr
11:41 Kaman shoulders into Fortson, gets called for it. 11:30 Maggette steals ball from Fortson, goes untouched for a slam LAC 26-23. 10:42 Collison hit by Allen with a no-look pass under the basket, score TIE 26-26. 9:20 Daniels driving lane gets pass down low from Collison LAC 30-28, answered by Kittles. 8:31 Collison cleans up down low after Fortson layup miss LAC 32-30. Sonics seem to not be getting their legs into their jumpers. 7:12 Maggette three LAC 38-30, 8-0 run. 3:32 Sonics 5-for-15 from the field in the quarter. 2:01 Daniels transition drives baseline and slams on Brand LAC 46-39. 1:33 transition again, Ridnour found on the side for a jumper, Evans was fouled, hits free throw LAC 46-42, 7-0 run. 0:15.8 Maggette three with 4 on shot clock LAC 51-42.
After one half -- Clippers 51, SuperSonics 42
The Sonics aren't getting beat on the glass, but they did turn the ball over eight times in the first half and shot an absolutely pathetic 15-for-45 (33%) from the field, and 2-for-16 (12%) from downtown. Worse yet, Corey Maggette and Elton Brand are just manhandling them inside. Maggette has 19 to go with 7 boards at the half, and Brand has 13. As for the Sonics, nobody has double figures after one half of play. Reggie Evans is the leading scorer with 9 points and he has 6 rebounds. Ray Allen (5 boards) and Antonio Daniels both have 7 points. Luke Ridnour had 6 points, Danny Fortson had 5 (4 rebounds), and Nick Collison and Rashard Lewis both had four points. The Sonics are getting beat 9-2 on the fast break.
But the telling numbers -- Ray Allen 1-for-7, Rashard Lewis 1-for-7, Vladimir Radmanovic 0-for-6. The trio combined for 11 points, 6 of which were from the free-throw line (5 for Allen).
For one half, it was about an 8.5 on the meltdown scale. I guess a 10 score would have been the Sonics being down 20 or 25 at half and just completely crapping the bed. But it's single digits for now.
3rd qtr
5:43 James called for 5th foul. 4:43 Radmanovic three LAC 62-56. 4:01 Vlad AGAIN three (catch and shoot) LAC 62-59. 3:36 transition Daniels layup and fouled, misses free throw LAC 62-61. 3:15 Clippers hit basket, but technical on Mikki Moore (Ray hits) LAC 64-62. 3:01 Ray Allen pull-up from free-throw line TIE 64-64, answered on other end by Maggette foul and one LAC 67-64. 2:34 Evans jam on a pick-and-roll LAC 67-66. 1:53 Radmanovic fakes three, finger-rolls through lane LAC 69-68. 1:33 Clippers nailed for three seconds. 0:34.7 Murray high bouncer gets lead 70-69 SEA.
After three quarters -- Clippers 70, SuperSonics 70
Rashard Lewis is in street clothes on the bench. Quite frankly, he wasn't doing anything when he was out there anyway. His legs just aren't back yet. I'm hoping the quad bruise or thigh bruise heals itself soon.
4th qtr
10:52 Clippers score first four points of the quarter. 9:23 Fortson called for a T, after getting called for only his first foul. 7:02 Maggette hits first basket of fourth quarter LAC 81-76, answered by Allen three left side.
Clippers 103, SuperSonics 92
So what's the story tonight?
Rashard Lewis is hobbled.
The defense? Nowhere near as good as it's been.
Turnovers.
Bad shooting.
Corey f%&$ing Maggette, who was traded for Horace Grant to come to Seattle.
The Sonics propensity lately to break off a run, and then let the opposing team quickly erase most of said run.
I guess I could really be short with this, and I just might be, considering that pretty much sums up most of what I want to say.
I'll try to pump some more out of this though.
PEEK AT THE BOXSCORE
starters
Ray Allen 22 pts/7 reb/8 ast (7-20 FG, 1-6 3pt, 7-8 free throws), Luke Ridnour 14 pts/3 reb/2 ast (6-12 FG), Reggie Evans 11 pts/9 reb (4-6 FG, 3-5 free throws), Rashard Lewis 4 pts/5 reb (1-8 FG, 1-5 3pt, 18 min)
bench
Danny Fortson 13 pts/6 reb (4-6 FG, 5-5 free throws), Antonio Daniels 12 pts/3 reb/7 ast (4-10 FG, 1-5 3pt, 3-5 free throws), Vlad Radmanovic 8 pts/4 reb (3-13 FG, 2-7 3pt), Nick Collison 4 pts/1 reb (6 min), Ron Murray 2 pts (8 min)
Jerome James Watch
2 pts/5 reb (1-2 FG, 13 min)
team
shot 33-for-80 (41.2%) from the field (the Clippers shot 50% from the field), shot 5-for-25 (20%) from downtown, shot 21-for-27 (77.8%) from the line, outrebounded the Clippers 43-36, turned the ball over 14 times, bench outscored Clipper bench 39-31 (outrebounded them 14-10)
When a team shoots 50%, it's either the result of total defensive breakdown or the shooting team being on fire (usually both), and I have more belief tonight that it was more of the former than the latter. The Sonics just aren't playing anywhere close to their vintage form that we've seen them take defensively this year. It's not just no hands in faces of the shooters, which I've gotten on some of the Sonics for at times this season. Now it's other teams being able to move the ball one extra time, which I've seen the last two nights with the Clippers. Someone has always seemed to get open for a pretty easy shot, and it turns out tonight that the Clippers ended up hitting half of all of their shots.
You know, for me the worst part of all this is that Bill Simmons probably saw it and the Sonics aren't going to get a good column out of him. For almost everything that made the Sonics look great in the two games against Miami, they've looked just as crappy in the games against Orlando, Washington, and the Clippers (I'm even counting the win against the Clippers). Except for the stretch run last night, they've just looked incredibly out of sync on the offensive end, and they haven't been able to crank it up defensively to pick up for their offensive woes.
Guess what? I can't complain about the quantity of free throws tonight, although I could complain that driving to the rack is all they should have done down the stretch. They weren't completely lost on this, as Daniels was driving, as he does (including getting hammered by Elton Brand on the one play).
As for the individuals in the boxscore, I wish Vlad Rad was consistent. I really do. Sunday he goes nuts, and by Wednesday it's a complete 180. Luke Ridnour shot well from the field, though the assist numbers were curiously down. By the same token, Ray Allen's assist numbers were curiously high. Reggie Evans had some solid contribution. Danny Fortson managed to have zero fouls on him coming into the fourth quarter, but did get T'd up in the final quarter.
All in all, I guess the only things we can take out of this are that the Sonics have to get their rhythm back and they have to get Rashard Lewis back healthy as well.
And they have to play defense. And offense. And win games and stuff.
I asked Jinkies what the Sonics biggest problem tonight was. His answer: "No, the 9 lives thing is big lie. I had friend who believed this lie and O.D.'d on the cat nip first time and kicked his bucket. Tell HIM about these 9 lives!"
Well put, Jinkies. I couldn't have said it better myself.
(final content posted ~11:13p)
Ever get that feeling way before the game is actually over that your team is not going to win? I think I had that feeling somewhere really early in the fourth quarter. Just one of the many times tonight that the Sonics got close and the Clippers managed to widen the lead once again.
It just wasn't meant to be tonight.
Here's what I have for ye olde game...
1st qtr
10:46 Evans lefty layup down low is first basket of game. 3:40 Lewis three right side, first of night for Sonics; they missed the first six. Sonics shooting like crap. 2:58 Fortson ties up Brand on a scramble for a jump ball in front of their own basket. 2:13 Sonics have 5 turnovers. 1:34 Daniels three, LAC 21-18. 1:04 Allen reverse layup miss cleaned up by Fortson, fouled TIE 21-21.
After one quarter -- Clippers 24, SuperSonics 23
Toward the end of the quarter, it seemed like the Sonics had no answer for Corey Maggette, which as I've mentioned makes me sick because he was drafted by the Sonics. Anyway, the Sonics shot 33% in the first quarter (8-for-24) and were 2-for-10 from beyond the arc. The Clippers hit two more baskets than the Sonics, with the same number of attempts. The Clippers had a 9-3 run at one point, but the Sonics fought back with a 6-0 run of their own. Reggie Evans is leading the team with 8 points and 5 rebounds. Ray Allen has four points, three Sonics have 3 points each. The Sonics turned the ball over 5 times in the first quarter, and the Cloppers outscored the Sonics 16-12 in the paint.
2nd qtr
11:41 Kaman shoulders into Fortson, gets called for it. 11:30 Maggette steals ball from Fortson, goes untouched for a slam LAC 26-23. 10:42 Collison hit by Allen with a no-look pass under the basket, score TIE 26-26. 9:20 Daniels driving lane gets pass down low from Collison LAC 30-28, answered by Kittles. 8:31 Collison cleans up down low after Fortson layup miss LAC 32-30. Sonics seem to not be getting their legs into their jumpers. 7:12 Maggette three LAC 38-30, 8-0 run. 3:32 Sonics 5-for-15 from the field in the quarter. 2:01 Daniels transition drives baseline and slams on Brand LAC 46-39. 1:33 transition again, Ridnour found on the side for a jumper, Evans was fouled, hits free throw LAC 46-42, 7-0 run. 0:15.8 Maggette three with 4 on shot clock LAC 51-42.
After one half -- Clippers 51, SuperSonics 42
The Sonics aren't getting beat on the glass, but they did turn the ball over eight times in the first half and shot an absolutely pathetic 15-for-45 (33%) from the field, and 2-for-16 (12%) from downtown. Worse yet, Corey Maggette and Elton Brand are just manhandling them inside. Maggette has 19 to go with 7 boards at the half, and Brand has 13. As for the Sonics, nobody has double figures after one half of play. Reggie Evans is the leading scorer with 9 points and he has 6 rebounds. Ray Allen (5 boards) and Antonio Daniels both have 7 points. Luke Ridnour had 6 points, Danny Fortson had 5 (4 rebounds), and Nick Collison and Rashard Lewis both had four points. The Sonics are getting beat 9-2 on the fast break.
But the telling numbers -- Ray Allen 1-for-7, Rashard Lewis 1-for-7, Vladimir Radmanovic 0-for-6. The trio combined for 11 points, 6 of which were from the free-throw line (5 for Allen).
For one half, it was about an 8.5 on the meltdown scale. I guess a 10 score would have been the Sonics being down 20 or 25 at half and just completely crapping the bed. But it's single digits for now.
3rd qtr
5:43 James called for 5th foul. 4:43 Radmanovic three LAC 62-56. 4:01 Vlad AGAIN three (catch and shoot) LAC 62-59. 3:36 transition Daniels layup and fouled, misses free throw LAC 62-61. 3:15 Clippers hit basket, but technical on Mikki Moore (Ray hits) LAC 64-62. 3:01 Ray Allen pull-up from free-throw line TIE 64-64, answered on other end by Maggette foul and one LAC 67-64. 2:34 Evans jam on a pick-and-roll LAC 67-66. 1:53 Radmanovic fakes three, finger-rolls through lane LAC 69-68. 1:33 Clippers nailed for three seconds. 0:34.7 Murray high bouncer gets lead 70-69 SEA.
After three quarters -- Clippers 70, SuperSonics 70
Rashard Lewis is in street clothes on the bench. Quite frankly, he wasn't doing anything when he was out there anyway. His legs just aren't back yet. I'm hoping the quad bruise or thigh bruise heals itself soon.
4th qtr
10:52 Clippers score first four points of the quarter. 9:23 Fortson called for a T, after getting called for only his first foul. 7:02 Maggette hits first basket of fourth quarter LAC 81-76, answered by Allen three left side.
Clippers 103, SuperSonics 92
So what's the story tonight?
Rashard Lewis is hobbled.
The defense? Nowhere near as good as it's been.
Turnovers.
Bad shooting.
Corey f%&$ing Maggette, who was traded for Horace Grant to come to Seattle.
The Sonics propensity lately to break off a run, and then let the opposing team quickly erase most of said run.
I guess I could really be short with this, and I just might be, considering that pretty much sums up most of what I want to say.
I'll try to pump some more out of this though.
PEEK AT THE BOXSCORE
starters
Ray Allen 22 pts/7 reb/8 ast (7-20 FG, 1-6 3pt, 7-8 free throws), Luke Ridnour 14 pts/3 reb/2 ast (6-12 FG), Reggie Evans 11 pts/9 reb (4-6 FG, 3-5 free throws), Rashard Lewis 4 pts/5 reb (1-8 FG, 1-5 3pt, 18 min)
bench
Danny Fortson 13 pts/6 reb (4-6 FG, 5-5 free throws), Antonio Daniels 12 pts/3 reb/7 ast (4-10 FG, 1-5 3pt, 3-5 free throws), Vlad Radmanovic 8 pts/4 reb (3-13 FG, 2-7 3pt), Nick Collison 4 pts/1 reb (6 min), Ron Murray 2 pts (8 min)
Jerome James Watch
2 pts/5 reb (1-2 FG, 13 min)
team
shot 33-for-80 (41.2%) from the field (the Clippers shot 50% from the field), shot 5-for-25 (20%) from downtown, shot 21-for-27 (77.8%) from the line, outrebounded the Clippers 43-36, turned the ball over 14 times, bench outscored Clipper bench 39-31 (outrebounded them 14-10)
When a team shoots 50%, it's either the result of total defensive breakdown or the shooting team being on fire (usually both), and I have more belief tonight that it was more of the former than the latter. The Sonics just aren't playing anywhere close to their vintage form that we've seen them take defensively this year. It's not just no hands in faces of the shooters, which I've gotten on some of the Sonics for at times this season. Now it's other teams being able to move the ball one extra time, which I've seen the last two nights with the Clippers. Someone has always seemed to get open for a pretty easy shot, and it turns out tonight that the Clippers ended up hitting half of all of their shots.
You know, for me the worst part of all this is that Bill Simmons probably saw it and the Sonics aren't going to get a good column out of him. For almost everything that made the Sonics look great in the two games against Miami, they've looked just as crappy in the games against Orlando, Washington, and the Clippers (I'm even counting the win against the Clippers). Except for the stretch run last night, they've just looked incredibly out of sync on the offensive end, and they haven't been able to crank it up defensively to pick up for their offensive woes.
Guess what? I can't complain about the quantity of free throws tonight, although I could complain that driving to the rack is all they should have done down the stretch. They weren't completely lost on this, as Daniels was driving, as he does (including getting hammered by Elton Brand on the one play).
As for the individuals in the boxscore, I wish Vlad Rad was consistent. I really do. Sunday he goes nuts, and by Wednesday it's a complete 180. Luke Ridnour shot well from the field, though the assist numbers were curiously down. By the same token, Ray Allen's assist numbers were curiously high. Reggie Evans had some solid contribution. Danny Fortson managed to have zero fouls on him coming into the fourth quarter, but did get T'd up in the final quarter.
All in all, I guess the only things we can take out of this are that the Sonics have to get their rhythm back and they have to get Rashard Lewis back healthy as well.
And they have to play defense. And offense. And win games and stuff.
I asked Jinkies what the Sonics biggest problem tonight was. His answer: "No, the 9 lives thing is big lie. I had friend who believed this lie and O.D.'d on the cat nip first time and kicked his bucket. Tell HIM about these 9 lives!"
Well put, Jinkies. I couldn't have said it better myself.
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