Time: 07:00 P.M. EST Venue: Wells Fargo Center
Things couldn't have gone much better for the Los Angeles Clippers in the opener of a three-game road trip against the NBA's worst team. They would appear to have another favorable matchup against the lowly Philadelphia 76ers. Los Angeles goes for a sixth consecutive victory and seventh in a row over the 76ers on Friday night. The Clippers (47-25) have outscored opponents by an average of 14.0 points during their run after blowing out New York 111-80 on Wednesday. DeAndre Jordan finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds and Chris Paul dished out 16 assists before Los Angeles' starting five received some well-deserved rest in the fourth quarter with the game out of reach. Jordan made all seven shots to raise his field-goal percentage to 71.3, the NBA's highest mark since Wilt Chamberlain set the record at 72.7 percent in 1972-73." I knew we had to come out with the right mindset and intensity to win the basketball game," Jordan said. "You can't play teams' records, you've got to play the game and take care of business." The Clippers, who shot 56.4 percent for their second-highest mark this season, outscored the Knicks 42-18 in the paint and 17-0 in transition. They surrendered a season-low 33 first-half points." Our pace was really good and part of that was because our defense was so good in the first half," J. J. Redick told the team's official website. "We limited them, and when we can get out after stops and play on the move, we're pretty good." Los Angeles has been pretty good against Philadelphia, too. The Clippers have taken the last six in the series by an average of 23.2 points, including a 127-91 rout on Jan. 3. Paul had 24 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds in 30 minutes to lead six players in double figures for Los Angeles, which had 30 fast-break points to the 76ers' eight. Philadelphia (18-54) has won three of five, though each of those victories came against teams with losing records. The 76ers beat Denver 99-85 on Wednesday to salvage the finale of a three-game road trip. Nerlens Noelhad 14 points, 15 rebounds, four steals and four blocks and Robert Covington scored a career high-tying 25 of the bench. Noel is averaging 15.3 points over the last eight games, and he leads all first-year players with 8.0 boards, 1.8 steals and 2.0 blocks per game." People have to start talking about him for rookie of the year," coach Brett Brown said of Noel. "You don't repetitively bang out these types of performances and produce the numbers he's producing. He's a complete game changer. He's a complete defensive presence when he's lurking to block shots. He continues to improve." Covington, who scored 21 the night before against Sacramento, has shot 11 of 17 from 3-point range over the last two games. He scored 15 points in a 6:16 span in the third quarter Wednesday." They were just leaving me open," Covington said. "My teammates have confidence in me, I have confidence in myself and I just let it fly." Covington scored 23 while making 4 of 7 from long distance against the Clippers in January. Redick had 17 in that game, and he's averaging 21.8 in his last 11. The former Duke star has made 36 consecutive foul shots and 68 of 69 since Jan. 5 for the NBA's best percentage (98.6) during that time.
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