Week ahead for L.A. Clippers: Doc's team looks to continue road momentum at home
The Los Angeles Clippers return to Staples Center this week after a seven-game road trip. Home, however, home hasn't been so sweet. The team is just 4-3 this season at Staples, while they are 7-2 on the road. The last time the team was at home, it was a Bulls takeover, with the Chicago fans being louder than the home fans.
The week ahead
This week's slate begins with a visit from the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, two days off and then a visit from Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.
The week behind
After traveling over 7,000-plus miles, the Clippers closed out their seven-game road trip with a four-game win streak, putting a bow on the trip with a 6-1 record. The wins to close out the trip came over the Charlotte Bobcats, the Detroit Pistons, followed by back-to-back wins over the Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz. With the win at Utah, the team improved to 5-0 in the second half of back-to-backs, which is tops in the league.
Record and standings
Entering Monday, the Clippers are 11-5 on the season and have moved up to second place in the Pacific Division, three games behind the first place Golden State Warriors. On a larger scale, the Clippers are seventh in the crowded Western Conference, three and a half games behind the conference-leading Grizzlies.
Gallery: Reasons to be thankful for the Los Angeles Clippers
Thumb's up
With five three pointers in the Clippers 113-92 win over the Charlotte Bobcats, Jamal Crawford passed Dale Ellis for 10th all-time on the NBA's three-point field goal list. Entering the week, Crawford has 1,734 three-pointers in his career, 26 behind Peja Stojakovic who's in ninth place.
Thumb's down
It appears the coaching staff is looking for more from Reggie Bullock and just isn't getting it. The small forward position has been and will continue to be a huge question mark for the Clippers. Bullock was presented a huge opportunity last week, starting two games while Matt Barnes sat out with a calf injury. He averaged five points in those starts, shooting just 33 percent from the field. Once Barnes returned Bullock played a total of 10 minutes off of the bench in the final two games of the road trip.
Player to watch
Matt Barnes missed games at Charlotte and Detroit due to a calf injury. He returned to the lineup Friday at Houston and played 20 minutes. On the second night of a back-to-back, he played 28 minutes in a Clippers' win over the Jazz -- a sign that he is back at full strength.
Stat to watch
The Clippers have been lighting it up from downtown. During the current four-game win streak, Lob City is shooting 41.6 percent from beyond the arc.
