LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Clippers aren't the first team to employ a three-guard lineup, but you’d be hard-pressed to find another quite like the one they used Saturday night. The Clippers used three point guards at the same time and the lineup was instrumental in putting away the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series at Staples Center.
LOS ANGELES -- Chauncey Billups put a towel over his head and buttoned up his warm-ups with a stern look on his face. When he heard his name announced in the starting lineup at Staples Center for the first time in a month, he kept his head down and walked through his teammates like a heavyweight fighter headed toward the ring.
LOS ANGELES -- Before the season began, Los Angeles Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro had a list of goals he wanted his team to achieve by season's end. He wanted to win 50 or more games. He wanted to win the Pacific Division.
DALLAS -- Vinny Del Negro can say he doesn't feel the pressure of these final games of the regular season. He can say that he and the Los Angeles Clippers are simply taking it one game at a time and trying to compile as many wins as possible by the end of the season.
LOS ANGELES -- A smile crept over DeAndre Jordan's face as the question was asked, and you knew exactly what he was thinking. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but when it comes to Jordan's facial expressions, sometimes they're worth more than that, as his now famous "Dunk Face" proved earlier this month.
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Clippers would have you believe that Wednesday's 96-85 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies was just another game on their schedule. "Regular-season games are regular-season games," forward Blake Griffin said.
LOS ANGELES -- There is a white board in the Los Angeles Clippers' locker room, where the NBA standings are updated before every game. For the most part, the top of the standings haven't changed much since midway through the season.
LOS ANGELES -- Twitter hasn't been around very long, but if it were around during the Los Angeles Clippers' early years, chances are players wouldn't be running to their computers and phones after games to praise the team they played for.
LOS ANGELES -- When the Los Angeles Clippers traded Mo Williams for Lamar Odom as part of a four-team swap eight months ago, they knew they were taking a risk. They made the trade hoping that at some point this season they might get some semblance of the Odom who won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2011 and helped the Los Angeles Lakers win back-to-back championships.
LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro has a list of phrases he likes to utter before and after games. He'll say "it's a process" when asked about the progress his team has made. He'll say "I'm Italian" when asked about his temper or adverse reaction to a play.
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