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News and notes on the Clip Set

CLIP NOTES

ELTON NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Following a week in which he averaged 23.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 blocked shots per game, Elton Brand was named NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for the week ending January 4. Brand shot 56.9% from the floor in a week in which the Clippers posted wins over the Nuggets and Lakers. Brand is the second Clipper to be named Western Conference Player of the Week during the 2003-2004 season, joining teammate Quentin Richardson who received the recognition for the week ending November 16.

CAREER-HIGH 44 FOR Q: Quentin Richardson scored a career-high 44 points versus Denver on December 31 to become the first Clipper to score 40 or more points since Dominique Wilkins scored 42 points versus the Lakers on April 16, 1994. Richardson's 44 points also ranks as the second highest point total by a Clipper since the franchise moved to Los Angeles, trailing only the 52 points scored by Charles Smith on December 1, 1990 at Denver. Richardson hit a career-high 17 field goals in the game including 5 three-pointers. He also recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds. Richardson set a new career-high in points for third time this season after scoring 36 points at Minnesota on November 22 and 32 points versus Atlanta on November 11.

OVERTON STEPS IN: With Marko Jaric sidelined with a sprained left foot, Doug Overton made his third start of the season and scored a season-high 14 points in the Clippers 101-98 victory over the Lakers on January 4. Overton also played in a season-high 38 minutes and had a season-high seven rebounds and dished out six assists in the Clippers victory.

TALENTED TRIO: Quentin Richardson (44 points), Corey Maggette (20 points) and Elton Brand (20 points) all scored 20 or more points in the same game for the second consecutive game and for the fourth time this season in the Clippers 120-104 win on December 31. The team is now 3-1 in games when their top three scorers all pour in 20 or more in the same game. Maggette, Richardson and Brand also scored at least 20 or more points in the Clippers 106-91 win over Phoenix on December 13 and in the 115-105 win at Dallas on December 20. The lone loss came when the feat was accomplished versus Phoenix on December 29. The 84 combined points was the highest total by three Clippers in 14 years.

CLIPS CLOSE OUT 2003 IN STYLE: The Clippers hit 46 of 89 field goal attempts (51.7%) in scoring a season-high 120 points in a 120-104 victory over Denver on December 31 at STAPLES Center. Los Angeles set season-highs for points in a half by scoring 68 second half points in the victory.

UPCOMING CLIPPERS GAMES

TORONTO RAPTORS - Friday, January 9, Air Canada Centre, 4:00 PM (PST)

TV: None Radio: XTRA 690/1150 AM

The Clippers will conclude their three game Eastern Conference trip on Friday evening in Toronto where they will face the Raptors at Air Canada Centre at 4:00 p.m. (PT). Friday will be the second and final meeting of the season between the Clippers and Raptors as Los Angeles will look to even the season series with a victory. Jalen Rose scored 23 points to lead Toronto to a 94-88 victory at STAPLES Center on December 28. Quentin Richardson led five Clippers in double figures with 16 points. The two teams have split their two meetings over last two seasons. The Clippers last defeated Toronto at Air Canada Centre on January 13, 2002, with a 79-72 victory.

All-Time Series: Toronto 10-6 (LAC Breakdown: Home 4-4, Road 2-6)

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES - Sunday, January 11, STAPLES Center, 6:30 PM (PST)

TV: FSN2 Radio: XTRA 690/1150 AM

The Clippers will conclude their week by hosting the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. Sunday will be the first of four meetings between the Clippers and Grizzlies with the two teams also scheduled to meet in Memphis on February 11 before returning to STAPLES Center on March 6. Los Angeles and Memphis will conclude their season series at The Pyramid on March 12. The Clippers and Grizzlies split their four meetings last season with each team recording two victories on their home floor. The Clippers averaged 106.0 points per game versus Memphis last season while the Grizzlies averaged 105.5 per contest. Elton Brand led the Clippers with 25.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Corey Maggette averaged 22.5 points per game. Pau Gasol averaged 20.8 points and 11.3 rebounds per game for Memphis.

All-Time Series: Clippers 17-15 (LAC Breakdown: Home 11-5, Road 6-10)