Seen him posting at a few other places, but I guess he has left us here, so it is up to me...
Clippers take first round in Battle of Los Angeles
<!-- Photo wire --><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead align=middle bgColor=#555555 colSpan=2>Photo Wire</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ececec><TD vAlign=top align=middle width=145>
</TD><TD vAlign=top>Los Angeles Clippers' Elton Brand spins around Los Angeles Lakers Brian Cook during the fourth quarter Friday, Nov. 18, 2005, in Los Angeles. Brand blocked five shots and scored a team-high 23 points as the Clippers defeated the Lakers 97-91. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
? View photo | View gallery</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead align=middle bgColor=#555555 colSpan=3>Team Stat Comparison</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=right><TD></TD><TD>LOS ANGELES</TD><TD>LOS ANGELES</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Points</TD><TD>97</TD><TD>91</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>FG Made-Attempted</TD><TD>32-72 (.444)</TD><TD>33-85 (.388)</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>3P Made-Attempted</TD><TD>3-10 (.300)</TD><TD>2-14 (.143)</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>FT Made-Attempted</TD><TD>30-35 (.857)</TD><TD>23-30 (.767)</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Rebounds (Offensive-Total)</TD><TD>6-43</TD><TD>13-41</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Assists</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>22</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Turnovers</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Steals</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Blocks</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Fast Break Points</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Fouls (Tech/Flagrant)</TD><TD>22 (0/0)</TD><TD>20 (0/0)</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Largest Lead</TD><TD>13</TD><TD>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead align=middle bgColor=#555555 colSpan=4>Top Performers</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>LOS ANGELES</TD><TD colSpan=2>LOS ANGELES</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD align=left width=72>
</TD><TD><NOBR>E. Brand</EM>
Points: 23
Reb: 14
Ast: 3
Stl: 1
Blk: 5
</NOBR></TD><TD align=left width=72>
</TD><TD><NOBR>L. Odom</EM>
Points: 18
Reb: 6
Ast: 5
Stl: 2
Blk: 0
</NOBR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead align=middle bgColor=#555555 colSpan=3>Game Leaders</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD> </TD><TD>LOS ANGELES</TD><TD>LOS ANGELES</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>Points</TD><TD><NOBR>E. Brand 23</NOBR></TD><TD><NOBR>L. Odom 18</NOBR></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>Rebounds</TD><TD><NOBR>E. Brand 14</NOBR></TD><TD><NOBR>C. Mihm 9</NOBR></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>Assists</TD><TD><NOBR>S. Cassell 5</NOBR></TD><TD><NOBR>L. Odom 5</NOBR></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>Steals</TD><TD><NOBR>S. Cassell 2</NOBR></TD><TD><NOBR>L. Odom 2</NOBR></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>Blocks</TD><TD><NOBR>E. Brand 5</NOBR></TD><TD><NOBR>C. Mihm 2</NOBR></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3>? Team stats: Los Angeles | Los Angeles</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead align=middle bgColor=#555555 colSpan=3>2005-06 Season</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD align=middle colSpan=3>Los Angeles leads 1-0</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>>Nov 18, 2005</TD><TD>LAC 97, @LAL 91</TD><TD>Recap | Box Score</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Jan 7, 2006</TD><TD>LAL @ LAC</TD><TD>10:30 PM ET</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Feb 24, 2006</TD><TD>LAL @ LAC</TD><TD>10:30 PM ET</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Apr 9, 2006</TD><TD>LAC @ LAL</TD><TD>9:30 PM ET</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead align=middle bgColor=#555555 colSpan=2>Next 5 Games</STRONG></TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD width="50%">LOS ANGELES (ET)</TD><TD width="50%">LOS ANGELES (ET)</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>11/20 GS 3:30pm
11/23 TOR 10:30pm
11/25 @DEN 9:00pm
11/27 IND 3:30pm
11/29 @MIN 8:00pm
</TD><TD>11/20 CHI 9:30pm
11/24 SEA 10:30pm
11/27 NJ 9:30pm
11/29 @SA 8:30pm
12/01 @UTA 10:30pm
</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>? Complete Schedule: Los Angeles | Los Angeles</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The NBA's balance of power in Los Angeles seems to be shifting.
Led by Elton Brand, the Clippers beat Kobe Bryant and the Lakers 97-91 on Friday night.
Bryant, making some of his off-balance, high-arcing jumpers but missing more often, scored 36 points on 12-of-35 shooting.
The win extended the Clippers' franchise-best start to 7-2 and was their third victory in a row over their city rivals dating to last season.
"The wins keep piling up. It's not about a rivalry," said Brand, who had 23 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. "If you ask us, we think we're a better team. We have a better record, we're in the same division, and it feels good to get out of here with this one."
Bryant noted the Clippers' improvement.
"They made a lot of big changes this year. Their management team went out there and made some big acquisitions and brought in some very talented players along with the players that have been here," Bryant said. "It is a good team."
Corey Maggette added 21 points, Cuttino Mobley had 20, and Sam Cassell had 17 for the Clippers, who never trailed.
Both Cassell, who turned 36 Friday, and Mobley are newcomers this season.
"Lakers versus Clippers is great for the fans and the community and we just want to keep it going," Maggette said. "We wanted it. It's great to beat the Lakers, so maybe we have some bragging rights."
Lamar Odom had 18 points for the Lakers, who dropped to 4-5.
The Clippers and Lakers split their series 2-2 last season. The Lakers lead the series 78-22 since the Clippers moved to Los Angeles, and 124-42 in all games against the franchise.
The Clippers were ahead 74-65 heading into the fourth quarter, and increased the lead to 78-65 before the Lakers began a comeback that cut it to 87-82 with 2:54 remaining. But they got no closer.
Bryant scored 12 points in the fourth, but 10 of those came on 11 free throws. He was good on only one of his nine field goal tries in the quarter.
"I think we are relying on me way too much and I am taking way too many shots to try to keep us competitive," Bryant said. "We really have to get back to the basics."
The Clippers shot 44 percent to the Lakers' 39 percent.
Bryant scored 13 points for the Lakers in the third, but his teammates totaled only seven points in the period.
The Clippers were up 53-45 at halftime after leading 27-21 at the end of the opening period.
Although they never led, the Lakers pulled even four times in the first half, the last at 43 on Bryant's drive and free throw 4:03 before halftime.
Brand hit a 14-footer to put the Clippers back in front, and they went on to open an eight-point lead over the closing four minutes of the half.
Clippers win the Pacific :+signs9-1
Clippers take first round in Battle of Los Angeles
<!-- Photo wire --><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead align=middle bgColor=#555555 colSpan=2>Photo Wire</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ececec><TD vAlign=top align=middle width=145>
</TD><TD vAlign=top>Los Angeles Clippers' Elton Brand spins around Los Angeles Lakers Brian Cook during the fourth quarter Friday, Nov. 18, 2005, in Los Angeles. Brand blocked five shots and scored a team-high 23 points as the Clippers defeated the Lakers 97-91. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
? View photo | View gallery</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead align=middle bgColor=#555555 colSpan=3>Team Stat Comparison</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=right><TD></TD><TD>LOS ANGELES</TD><TD>LOS ANGELES</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Points</TD><TD>97</TD><TD>91</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>FG Made-Attempted</TD><TD>32-72 (.444)</TD><TD>33-85 (.388)</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>3P Made-Attempted</TD><TD>3-10 (.300)</TD><TD>2-14 (.143)</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>FT Made-Attempted</TD><TD>30-35 (.857)</TD><TD>23-30 (.767)</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Rebounds (Offensive-Total)</TD><TD>6-43</TD><TD>13-41</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Assists</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>22</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Turnovers</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Steals</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Blocks</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Fast Break Points</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Fouls (Tech/Flagrant)</TD><TD>22 (0/0)</TD><TD>20 (0/0)</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Largest Lead</TD><TD>13</TD><TD>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead align=middle bgColor=#555555 colSpan=4>Top Performers</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>LOS ANGELES</TD><TD colSpan=2>LOS ANGELES</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD align=left width=72>
</TD><TD><NOBR>E. Brand</EM>Points: 23
Reb: 14
Ast: 3
Stl: 1
Blk: 5
</NOBR></TD><TD align=left width=72>
</TD><TD><NOBR>L. Odom</EM>Points: 18
Reb: 6
Ast: 5
Stl: 2
Blk: 0
</NOBR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead align=middle bgColor=#555555 colSpan=3>Game Leaders</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD> </TD><TD>LOS ANGELES</TD><TD>LOS ANGELES</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>Points</TD><TD><NOBR>E. Brand 23</NOBR></TD><TD><NOBR>L. Odom 18</NOBR></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>Rebounds</TD><TD><NOBR>E. Brand 14</NOBR></TD><TD><NOBR>C. Mihm 9</NOBR></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>Assists</TD><TD><NOBR>S. Cassell 5</NOBR></TD><TD><NOBR>L. Odom 5</NOBR></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>Steals</TD><TD><NOBR>S. Cassell 2</NOBR></TD><TD><NOBR>L. Odom 2</NOBR></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>Blocks</TD><TD><NOBR>E. Brand 5</NOBR></TD><TD><NOBR>C. Mihm 2</NOBR></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3>? Team stats: Los Angeles | Los Angeles</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead align=middle bgColor=#555555 colSpan=3>2005-06 Season</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD align=middle colSpan=3>Los Angeles leads 1-0</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>>Nov 18, 2005</TD><TD>LAC 97, @LAL 91</TD><TD>Recap | Box Score</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Jan 7, 2006</TD><TD>LAL @ LAC</TD><TD>10:30 PM ET</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Feb 24, 2006</TD><TD>LAL @ LAC</TD><TD>10:30 PM ET</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Apr 9, 2006</TD><TD>LAC @ LAL</TD><TD>9:30 PM ET</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead align=middle bgColor=#555555 colSpan=2>Next 5 Games</STRONG></TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD width="50%">LOS ANGELES (ET)</TD><TD width="50%">LOS ANGELES (ET)</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>11/20 GS 3:30pm
11/23 TOR 10:30pm
11/25 @DEN 9:00pm
11/27 IND 3:30pm
11/29 @MIN 8:00pm
</TD><TD>11/20 CHI 9:30pm
11/24 SEA 10:30pm
11/27 NJ 9:30pm
11/29 @SA 8:30pm
12/01 @UTA 10:30pm
</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>? Complete Schedule: Los Angeles | Los Angeles</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The NBA's balance of power in Los Angeles seems to be shifting.
Led by Elton Brand, the Clippers beat Kobe Bryant and the Lakers 97-91 on Friday night.
Bryant, making some of his off-balance, high-arcing jumpers but missing more often, scored 36 points on 12-of-35 shooting.
The win extended the Clippers' franchise-best start to 7-2 and was their third victory in a row over their city rivals dating to last season.
"The wins keep piling up. It's not about a rivalry," said Brand, who had 23 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. "If you ask us, we think we're a better team. We have a better record, we're in the same division, and it feels good to get out of here with this one."
Bryant noted the Clippers' improvement.
"They made a lot of big changes this year. Their management team went out there and made some big acquisitions and brought in some very talented players along with the players that have been here," Bryant said. "It is a good team."
Corey Maggette added 21 points, Cuttino Mobley had 20, and Sam Cassell had 17 for the Clippers, who never trailed.
Both Cassell, who turned 36 Friday, and Mobley are newcomers this season.
"Lakers versus Clippers is great for the fans and the community and we just want to keep it going," Maggette said. "We wanted it. It's great to beat the Lakers, so maybe we have some bragging rights."
Lamar Odom had 18 points for the Lakers, who dropped to 4-5.
The Clippers and Lakers split their series 2-2 last season. The Lakers lead the series 78-22 since the Clippers moved to Los Angeles, and 124-42 in all games against the franchise.
The Clippers were ahead 74-65 heading into the fourth quarter, and increased the lead to 78-65 before the Lakers began a comeback that cut it to 87-82 with 2:54 remaining. But they got no closer.
Bryant scored 12 points in the fourth, but 10 of those came on 11 free throws. He was good on only one of his nine field goal tries in the quarter.
"I think we are relying on me way too much and I am taking way too many shots to try to keep us competitive," Bryant said. "We really have to get back to the basics."
The Clippers shot 44 percent to the Lakers' 39 percent.
Bryant scored 13 points for the Lakers in the third, but his teammates totaled only seven points in the period.
The Clippers were up 53-45 at halftime after leading 27-21 at the end of the opening period.
Although they never led, the Lakers pulled even four times in the first half, the last at 43 on Bryant's drive and free throw 4:03 before halftime.
Brand hit a 14-footer to put the Clippers back in front, and they went on to open an eight-point lead over the closing four minutes of the half.
Clippers win the Pacific :+signs9-1
