Tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET the atmosphere in Los Angeles' Staples Center ought to be festive after Clippers owner Donald Sterling was banned for life from the NBA by Commissioner Adam Silver for racist comments made in a conversation with his girlfriend. Clips fans are hoping a weight has been lifted from the club, as they get ready for a crucial Game 5 vs. the Golden State Warriors on TNT. Live stream the game free by clicking this link; Clips fans can catch the game on KFWB 980, while Warriors fans can hear the radio broadcast on KNBR 680.
Prior to the news, head coach Doc Rivers had this to say about Sterling's remarks-- "These last 48 hours or so have been really hard for our players and everyone. I'd just like to reiterate how disappointed I am in the comments attributed to our owner. I can't tell you how upset I am, our players are."
Rivers is hoping the players can shake off the negative last few days and focus now on advancing to Round 2. The most important factor in that pursuit is power forward Blake Griffin, pacing the Clips with 26.5 points per game, but pulling down just 5.6 rebounds a night.
All year long he and DeAndre Jordan terrorized opponents on the glass, but Griffin's been held to four less than his season average in this series. Jordan's been doing serious window work, putting up 12.8 rebounds a night in Round 1, but not one other Clipper is clearing six.
For Golden State, making 3-pointers is the crux of their chances to win. In their wins they hit over 40 percent from beyond the arc, singing 47 percent in Game 4; when they've lost, they knocked down 21 percent and 19 percent from deep while failing to crack 100 points on both occasions.
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