2014-15 season
The LA Clippers beat the Sacramento Kings in Sleep Train Arena 117-108, making their record 27 and…14. In case you’re in need of more encouragement, just remind yourself that the Clippers are overall a more complete and well-rounded team today. Also, the Clippers were only really average on defense that year; literally: they were 15th in defensive rating that season. They have risen substantially, as they are currently sixth in the league, against super teams that didn’t exist before like the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers.
In more ways than one, this season was a new beginning for the Clippers. With new owner Steve Ballmer at the head, the Clippers desperately wanted to forget the past and create a new name for themselves.
Matt Barnes had 26 points, 10 rebounds and three steals in his hometown after fouling out late in the fourth quarter. Blake gave a solid effort amounting in 30 points, five rebounds and five assists. Backup center Spencer Hawes had five points and Glen Davis had four, all in a DeMarcus Cousins-less night. This win spurred a much-needed six-game win streak. Epke Udoh and Hedo Turkoglu were both DNP’s that night.
This was Austin Rivers‘ second game as a Clipper, managing to put up one point, which is somewhat better than the zero points he had against Cleveland in the previous game.