LAst Night's Action: Clips Cut Short
Hornets 86, Clippers 83 - Sports fans talk about "meaningless games" towards the end of the regular season. Those are contests held after a team is already in or out of the playoffs and seeding isn't a major issue. It's a common indicator of an exciting team in baseball. In this year's NBA playoff chase, the Clippers didn't play a single meaningless game. They did play roughly one meaningless quarter. Despite taking a solid lead against New Orleans (a/k/a Oklahoma City), the Clippers may have been watching the out of town scoreboard as much as their own game. After the Warriors smoked the Blazers, the Clippers knew their playoff hopes were up in smoke. They burnt out towards the end of the game, much like they burnt out towards the end of the season. Considering all the injuries that held them back in '06-'07, the Clippers have plenty to look forward to next year. But it will be a long summer for a disappointed squad.
Lakers 117, Kings 106 - Kobe Bryant scored 34 to finish with a season average of 31.6 and his second straight league scoring title. Jay Leno quipped that the Lakers made the playoffs -- well, not all the Lakers, just Kobe. Actually, the victory over Sacramento secured the #7 seed in the West and a first round rematch against the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers are looking to avenge a nasty game 7 loss in last year's playoffs, but have only beaten one team with a winning record (Utah) in the past six weeks.
Rockies 7, Dodgers 2 - Teams usually show some firepower when they visit Colorado's altitude, but the high-flying Dodgers looked a little winded in this one. Derek Lowe didn't make it through the fifth inning, allowing eight hits and four earned runs. Jeff Kent and Russell Martin both took the night off. Maybe Tommy Lasorda should take some time off, too.
Athletics 3, Angels 0 - With two men down, Anaheim dropped two in a row in Oakland. Vladimir Guerrero and Howie Kendrick both were in Los Angeles visiting doctors after getting nailed by pitches earlier this week. Without those key hitters, the Angels managed just one run in the two game series. They left nine men on base this time, six in scoring position.
Beckham Watch - Becks is healthy and has big balls. He may also be reunited with a famous teammate, despite earlier rumors that his Real Madrid chum could wind up in New York.
Elsewhere - NFL gives company just the attention they were looking for ... LT is a wise man ... NoNo in Chicago ... Forget player-ref fights in the NBA, how about manager-broadcaster fights in MLB?
AP photo by Branimir Kvartuc.