Week ahead for Clippers: Grammy trip stops vs. Nets, Cavs, Raptors & Thunder
The week ahead
The Clippers continue their longest roadtrip of the season -- the annual Grammy trip -- with a visit to Brooklyn Monday followed by a few days off before a nationally televised game in Cleveland against the smoking hot Cavaliers on Thursday. On the second half of a back-to-back, the Clippers will be on the other side of the border in Toronto on Friday. Sunday will be a 10 a.m. (local time) start in Oklahoma City.
The week behind
The week got off to a hot start with a come-from-behind win against Denver, which was the squad's last game at Staples Center until Feb. 11. The Clippers kicked off the Grammy trip with a come-from-behind win in Utah to extend their winning streak to six games. The win streak ended in New Orleans against a Pelicans team that was without Anthony Davis last Friday. However, Doc Rivers' squad responded with a win in San Antonio on the second night of a back-to-back.
Record and standings
Don't look now but the Clippers are continuing to climb in the Western Conference. After starting last week in the fifth spot, they'll enter Monday as the No. 3 team in the West. The Clippers are 33-15 on the season and remain in second place in the Pacific Division. They are 5.5 games behind first place Golden State.
Thumb's up
Jamal Crawford went off for 21 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to defeat Denver. The win extended the Clippers winning streak to five and set a season high for the team's largest comeback this season. The Clippers, thanks to Crawford, overcame a 16-point deficit to pick up the win in their last game in Staples Center before a two-and-a-half week hiatus.
CP3 headed to eighth straight All-Star Game.
Thumb's down
Despite being offered the opportunity to be wined and dined by Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, Western Conference coaches still left Clippers center DeAndre Jordan off of the All-Star roster. Jordan is leading the league in total rebounds (647) and rebounds per game (13.5). He's second in the league in blocks (2.5 per game). He's also top-10 in the league in double-doubles.
Player to watch
Austin Rivers appears to be getting more comfortable in a Clippers uniform. The coach's son is currently riding his best streak since joining the team. Rivers has reached double figures in three straight games. In the Clippers win at Utah he was the source of all of the team's bench points.
Stat to watch
Hell of a game..tough loss but still so proud of my city and the @Seahawks
— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) February 2, 2015
Jordan's streak of shooting 50 percent or better from the field is up to 33 games. It's the longest such streak in the NBA in 30 years.
