Clippers at Spurs
THE STORY: It will be the new guard against the old when the Los
Angeles Clippers visit the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. The new guard
features an entirely new backcourt for the Clippers with the
acquisitions of four-time All-Star Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups, plus
starting small forward Caron Butler. The old features San Antonio’s
backcourt tandem of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, plus certain Hall of
Famer Tim Duncan, who is in his 15th and possibly last season in the
NBA. Those three have 10 combined NBA titles and the Spurs lead the
all-time series over the Clippers 113-29. The Clippers have not won in
San Antonio in almost 10 years. Despite their advancing age, the Spurs
won 61 games last season and won’t be pushovers in the Western
Conference. The Spurs forced 25 turnovers in their 95-82 victory over
Memphis in the opener Monday. The Clippers pulled away from Golden State
for a 105-86 victory in their opener on Christmas. Paul had 20 points
and nine assists.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), FS Southwest (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (1-0):
While Los Angeles has been pumped about Paul joining the team to go
with Blake Griffin, last year’s Rookie of the Year, center DeAndre
Jordan was a force on defense with a career-best eight blocks against
the Warriors. Jordan was only 4 of 12 from the free throw line. “He
blocked eight shots,” coach Vinny Del Negro said. “He's a force in the
middle. He made some big plays for us.”
ABOUT THE SPURS (1-0): Spurs shooting guard Gary Neal, who had an
appendectomy Dec. 12, could be back in the lineup by next week. He was
not expected back until at least the second week of January, but coach
Gregg Popovich said Neal is moving better and could have “some contact”
after Thursday’s game in Houston. The Spurs host Utah on New Year’s Eve.
Neal broke the San Antonio rookie record for 3-point percentage (41.9)
and 3-pointers made (129) last season and averaged 9.8 points.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Clippers have lost 16 in a row in San Antonio, last winning there Jan. 31, 2002.
2. Los Angeles is 5-43 against San Antonio since Dec. 10, 1997.