National Basketball Association
Preview
L.A. Clippers at Sacramento
When: 10:30 PM ET, Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, California
By SportsDirect Inc.
The Pacific Division champion Los Angeles Clippers attempt to conclude the regular season on a seven-game winning streak and secure home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday in the finale for both teams. Los Angeles posted its sixth straight victory on Tuesday, a 93-77 triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers. Caron Butler scored 22 points and Blake Griffin added 16 as the Clippers finished 32-9 at home.
While Los Angeles can move up to the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, it also can begin the first round on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies despite being a division winner. The Kings, meanwhile, look to avoid ending their season on a four-game losing streak by winning what could be their last game in Sacramento. The Maloof family agreed to sell a 65 percent controlling interest to a group from Seattle, but the league's Board of Governors has yet to approve the sale.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), Comcast SportsNet California (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (55-26): Los Angeles can overtake Denver for third place in the West with a victory over Sacramento and a Nuggets home loss to Phoenix. Should Denver win, the Clippers will clinch home-court advantage in the first round with a win. But a loss coupled with a victory by Memphis over Utah would give the Grizzlies home court in their series with Los Angeles. "We have a big one (Wednesday), probably the biggest one of the season," guard Jamal Crawford said. "We're going to try and close the season out right."
ABOUT THE KINGS (28-53): Jason Thompson was named the 2013 winner of the Oscar Robertson Triple-Double Award. The honor is given annually to the Kings player who best exemplifies winning characteristics, both as an athlete and a conscientious citizen active in the community. Thompson will receive the award in an on-court presentation Wednesday. Sacramento has lost seven of its last eight contests and could be without second-leading scorer Tyreke Evans, who injured his left knee early in Monday's loss to Oklahoma City.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Clippers G Chauncey Billups returned to the starting lineup Tuesday after missing eight games with a sore groin and scored four points despite going 0-for-5 from the field.
2. Sacramento's triumph on March 19 ended Los Angeles' five-game winning streak in the all-time series.
3. The home team has won each of the last four meetings.
PREDICTION: Clippers 112, Kings 99
Stats and Records
Team Comparison
| |
W/L |
Strk |
Home |
Away |
Day |
Night |
Div |
Conf |
| L.A. Clippers |
55-26 |
W6 |
32-9 |
23-17 |
6-5 |
49-21 |
10-5 |
34-17 |
| Sacramento |
28-53 |
L3 |
20-20 |
8-33 |
1-7 |
27-46 |
7-8 |
14-37 |
Last Meeting
|
L.A. Clippers |
Sacramento |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
Pts |
Reb |
FG% |
Pts |
Reb |
FG% |
| 3/19/13 |
LAC 101 |
SAC 116 |
101 |
37 |
45.0 |
116 |
37 |
50.7 |
Player Stats
| Points |
Player |
Total |
FG% |
FTM |
| L.A. Clippers |
B. Griffin
|
1548 |
54.2 |
299 |
| Sacramento |
D. Cousins
|
1355 |
46.2 |
330 |
| Rebounds |
Player |
Total |
Off |
Def |
| L.A. Clippers |
B. Griffin
|
712 |
203 |
509 |
| Sacramento |
D. Cousins
|
784 |
244 |
540 |
