LAst Night's Action: Clippers Break Lawler's Law

Detroit Pistons defeat LA Clippers 113-107 (OT). Lawler’s Law failed. Thank to Rasual Butler’s three-pointer with 29 seconds remaining in regulation, the Clippers took a 102-99 lead. But a Ryan Gomes missed free throw and an Eric Gordon turnover allowed the Pistons to send the game to overtime where they prevailed 113-107.

It looked to be another one of those games you just chalk up to a loss. The Clippers had a dreadful first quarter trailing by as many as 11 points. But they fought back with Eric Gordon, bad shoulder and all, leading the charge with 28 points.

But Charlie Villanueva exploded for 30 points off the bench for the Pistons hitting five three-pointers. Also killing the Clippers were their 20 turnovers with the Pistons converted to 15 points.

Anaheim Ducks defeat Dallas Stars 4-2. The Ducks had a day to get their legs underneath themselves. The Stars just played a hard-hitting emotional game against the Los Angeles Kings at STAPLES Center Thursday night. And it showed.

The Ducks got off 18 shots on goal in the first period alone, a game after their first shot of the game came with 1:45 left in the period. And one of those shots tipped of the stick of Saku Koivu 13:56 in the period to give the Ducks the quick lead. Unfortunately the Ducks allowed the Stars to come back a minute later when thanks to a faceoff win in the Ducks zone allowing Brandon Segal to get past Jonas Hiller.

The tie remained through the second period until early in the third period when Corey Perry from behind the net made a sure pass to Ryan Getzlaf who got it past Stars goalie Keri Lehtonen. A power-play goal by Bobby Ryan midway through the period seemed to ice the game, however the Stars charged back with a goal by Brad Richards 16:22 in the third. They looked poised to then take the lead after Paul Mara was called for cross checking and then after pulling Lehtonen for the extra attacker in the final minute, but Ryan’s empty netter finally iced the game for the Ducks.

The Ducks have now won six consecutive games and are only bested by the Kings in points in the Western Conference.

UCLA Bruins defeat CSUN Matadors 83-50. Well this season’s opener went much better than last season's I see.

TONIGHT’S ACTION

New York Islanders (11 pts., 4-9-3) at LA Kings (22 pts., 11-3-0). 7:30 p.m. FSWest, AM 1150 KTLK.

USC Trojans (6-3, 3-3 Pac-10) at Arizona Wildcats (7-2, 4-2 Pac-10). 5:00 p.m. ABC, AM 710 KSPN.

UC Irvine Anteaters (0-0) at USC Trojans (0-0). 1:00 p.m.