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Los Angeles Clippers News and Notes

ON THE ROAD: The Clippers are continuing a 2003-04 NBA season-high nine-game road trip this evening in Atlanta. The trip began with back-to-back games at Miami (January 30) and at Orlando (January 31) and will also include stops in Boston (Feb. 4), Washington (Feb. 6), New York (Feb. 8), Minnesota (Feb. 10), Memphis (Feb. 11) and Portland (Feb. 18). While the eighth and ninth games will be interrupted by NBA All-Star Weekend, the trip is still recognized as a nine-game road trip. The nine consecutive road games is the longest stretch away from home in franchise history. The Buffalo Braves established the previous record of eight consecutive road games from March 18-28, 1973. That record of eight games was also equaled by the Clippers from January 2-13, 1990 and from February 7-22, 2001, when the consecutive games away form STAPLES Center was also interrupted by All-Star Weekend. This marks the third consecutive season in which an NBA team has played nine consecutive road games. San Antonio went 8-1 on their nine-game stretch from January 27 to February 16 of last season while Utah went 6-3 from February 4-26, 2002. Both road trips were interrupted by All-Star Weekend.

CLIPS SHOOT A SEASON-HIGH (AGAIN): The Clippers shot a season-high tying 53.3% (40-75) from the floor in their 115-106 victory over Orlando on January 31. The Clippers also hit 40 of 75 field goals for 53.3% in their 102-92 victory over Chicago on January 27. Los Angeles shot 21-33 (63.6%) in the second half of the win.

Q LEADS THE CHARGE FROM BEYOND THE ARC: Los Angeles tied a season-high with 10 three-pointers in their 115-106 victory over Orlando on January 31. Quentin Richardson hit a season-high six three-point field goals in 10 attempts from beyond the arc as the Clippers shot 10 of 17 (58.8%) from three-point range. Los Angeles established their season-high of 10 three-point field goals in their opening night game versus Seattle in Japan.

MARKO SOLVES THE MAGIC: Marko Jaric tied a season-high with 23 points and had six assists, five rebounds and four steals in the Clippers 115-106 win over Orlando. Jaric also scored 23 points in an overtime loss to Memphis on January 11. The 23 points were two shy of Jaric's career-high of 25 points he scored versus Indiana on December 21, 2002.

JARIC & KAMAN SELECTED FOR THE ROOKIE CHALLENGE: 2nd year guard Marko Jaric and rookie center Chris Kaman have been selected to play in the got milk? Rookie Challenge at STAPLES Center on Friday, February 13 as part of NBA All-Star Weekend 2004. Jaric will be joined on the sophomore team by Yao Ming, Amare Stoudemire, Mike Dunleavy, Nene, Manu Ginobili, Flip Murray, Tayshaun Prince and Carlos Boozer. Kaman will be joined on the freshman squad by Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Kirk Hinrich, Jarvis Hayes, Josh Howard and Udonis Haslem.

MR. DOUBLE-DOUBLE: Elton Brand recorded his 23rd double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds at Miami on January 30. Brand's double-double was his 23rd in 32 games played this season and he ranks 6th in the NBA in total double-doubles despite missing 13 games with a stress fracture in his right foot. Brand is recording a double-double in 71.8% of his games played which ranks only behind Minnesota's Kevin Garnett and San Antonio's Tim Duncan.

UPCOMING CLIPPERS GAMES

BOSTON CELTICS (Wednesday, February 4, 4:00 p.m. (PT), Fleet Center)

The Clippers will return to action on Wednesday night when they face the Boston Celtics at Fleet Center at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday will be the first of two meetings this season between the Clippers and Celtics, who will conclude their season series at STAPLES Center on February 19. Los Angeles has lost seven consecutive games to the Boston Celtics, with their last win over Boston coming on December 26, 1999 with a 103-100 win in Los Angeles. The Clippers have also dropped six consecutive games to the Celtics in Boston, with their last win coming on April 4, 1997. Elton Brand scored 26 points and had 12 rebounds in his only game versus Boston last season while Corey Maggette averaged 18.5 points per game in the two meetings. Paul Pierce scored 35 points in his only game versus the Clippers last season.

All-Time Series: Boston 74-25 (LAC Breakdown: Home: 15-35, Road: 9-40)

WASHINGTON WIZARDS (Friday, February 6, 4:00 p.m. (PT), MCI Center)

The Clippers return to action for the third game of the week on Friday at Washington. Friday will be the first of two meetings this season between the Clippers and Wizards, who will conclude their season series at STAPLES on March 25. Los Angeles will look to snap a two-game losing streak to Washington as the Wizards won both meetings last season. Corey Maggette led the Clippers in scoring in both games and averaged 18.0 points per game versus the Wizards. Michael Jordan averaged 16.5 points per game in his final two games versus the Clippers. Los Angeles has won two of the last four meetings at MCI Center but have dropped eight of their last nine games to Washington at home.

All-Time Series: Washington 64-24 (LAC Breakdown: Home: 12-32, Road 12-32)

NEW YORK KNICKS (Sunday, February 8, 4:00 p.m. (PT), Madison Square Garden)

The Clippers will conclude their week in New York on Sunday when they face the Knicks at Madison Square Garden at 7:00 p.m. Sunday will be the first of two meetings this season between the Clippers and Knicks, who will conclude their season series at STAPLES Center on February 27. Los Angeles and New York split their two meetings last season, one year after the Clippers won both games. Elton Brand averaged 22.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game last season as each team won on their home floor. Allan Houston averaged 14.0 points per game for New York. The Knicks have won six of the last seven meetings at the Garden but the Clippers own a four-game winning streak over New York at home as the Knicks have never defeated the Clippers at STAPLES Center.

All-Time Series: New York 62-37 (LAC Breakdown: Home 23-25, Road 14-37)