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LA Clippers defeat LA Lakers 102-91. Tenth time’s the charm. After the Lakers had defeated the Clippers for nine straight games, the Clippers wouldn’t take it anymore. While Baron Davis led the Clippers with 25 points and 10 assists, the Clippers distributed the ball very well with five players in double-digit scoring. Chris Kaman won the battle of the bigs against Andrew Bynum with 21 points, 14 boards and two assists. While the Clippers held a lead for most of the game, the Lakers came back to tie the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter. With the game tied at 83-83 with seven minutes remaining, the Clippers went on a 19-8 run to end the game. Those who are surprised the Clippers beat the Lakers haven’t watched a Clippers game. While they’re not great, they play all four quarters.
Stanford Cardinal defeats USC Trojans 54-53.
UCLA Bruins defeats California Bears 76-75 (OT).
Notable Notes
The most scientific prognostication for the BCS Championship Game between the Texas Longhorns and Alabama Crimson Tide was made at the LA Zoo on Wednesday. The 30-year old male orangutan Bruno was given two papier-mâché figures filled with treats decorated as the mascots for the two schools. Bruno chose the Longhorns by picking it up and placing it on the ground. The Alabama elephant however suffered a worse fate: Bruno demolished it before lavishing more attention to the longhorn. To celebrate the BCS Championship Game the LA Zoo is offering a dollar off the admission for fans wearing their college football gear no matter the school and mentioning the promotion.
Speaking of the Longhorns, “Sport Science” on ESPN did a breakdown of Texas quarterback Colt McCoy’s arm as compared to a shotgun blast. Pretty interesting to watch.
Much has been made of Blake Griffin’s stress fracture of his knee and his return to the Clippers. The projected January 20th return date for him has been pushed back. A source told me that Griffin’s injury was much more complex that initially thought, and he still has a way to go before being ready to participate in basketball drills. So Clipper fans - all three of you - don’t hold your breath.
David Stern to Gilbert Arenas: Don’t fuck with me. Arenas and his flippant attitude via Twitter and his actions on the court regarding the gun charges he faces put Stern in the corner. And you don’t put baby in the corner. “Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game," Stern said in a statement. So Arenas is suspended without pay while the NBA investigates the manner. I would insert a stupid joke here, but I don’t want to.
Fentanyl and other drugs fuel record deaths among people experiencing homelessness in L.A. County. From 2019 to 2021, deaths jumped 70% to more than 2,200 in a single year.
