4/16 NBA Seattle vs LA Clippers

[Spartacus]

Clippers prepare to face SuperSonics at home

Fresh off a victory last game, Los Angeles can stay on a roll Sunday by wiping the floor with the Seattle SuperSonics.

Seattle takes its 33-46 mark to Los Angeles to rumble with the 46-33 Clippers.

Defence may play a big role in this one, but that's mainly because experts don't think much of it will be played. Oddsmakers opened the total on the high side, a huge 207. That will require lots of offence - and porous defence - to surpass.

Last time out, at KeyArena against Los Angeles, the SuperSonics as favorites lost to the Clippers 101-97. The game was an under play.

This game is likely to come down to the SuperSonics' execution on offence. They rank 2nd in the league in scoring and look to sustain their 102.3 points per game average against the Clippers' #12-rated defensive unit.

 

[Spartacus]

The Los Angeles Clippers continue their battle for playoff positioning when they finish a home-and-home series by hosting the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies have been jockeying for the fifth and sixth spots in the Western Conference.

With a victory over the Sonics in its final home game of the regular season, Los Angeles would have home-court advantage in the first round -- by virtue of a better overall record -- should it finish sixth and matchup with Denver.

If the Clippers finish fifth, it would mean a matchup with either San Antonio or Dallas.

Los Angeles closes its season with road games at Memphis and Dallas.

The Clippers rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat the Sonics 101-97 in Seattle on Friday night. Los Angeles has its most wins in a season since 1975-76 and its most since moving to California in 1978.

If the Clippers win out, they would tie the single-season club record of 49 victories set in 1974-75, when the team was known as the Buffalo Braves.

"We're one step closer to clinching with Denver, but more meaningful is it's another game where we came back from some big points down," Los Angeles coach Mike Dunleavy said.

Elton Brand and Chris Kaman led the rally for the Clippers on Friday. Brand had 30 points and 15 rebounds while Kaman had 20 points and 12 rebounds.

"That's what we do. Usually every night one of us will have a matchup where we can pretty much have an advantage down there," Brand said. "When we play the right way, everybody gets open shots."

Ray Allen led the Sonics with 33 points, including five 3-pointers, and needs 14 to set a new NBA single-season mark for 3-pointers made.

Dennis Scott made 267 3s for Orlando in 1995-96, while George McCloud made 257 for Dallas that season.

All of Allen's 3-pointers Friday came in the first half, when Seattle shot 60 percent and led 54-36 at one point.

"The first half was very exciting. I was happy for Ray," Seattle coach Bob Hill said. "He's had a phenomenal year and a phenomenal first half."

After averaging 115.8 points during a four-game win streak, the Sonics have been held under 100 points in losing their last three.

Los Angeles is looking to sweep the season series from Seattle for the first time in franchise history.

 

[Spartacus]

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