Celtics-Clippers: Boston Takes on the Other L.A.

Wednesday night’s L/A.-Boston match up at Staples Center had all the tell-tale signs of one of basketball’s most cherished and storied rivalries. 

The glitz and glamour of Hollywood (including Billy Crystal and Adam Sandler amongst those in attendance) mixed withthe grit and passion of one of New England’s strongest sporting contingents.

There were hard fouls and a lot of smack talk on both sides but in the end the outcome was decided by free throws and tough defense on the last possession of the game.

Only this time it was L.A.’s stepchild of a franchise, the Clippers, who inspired the hometown crowds cheers of “Boston sucks” as they improbably went on to defeat the reining NBA champs by two points.

Coming into the evening I fully expected the game to be a blowout in favor of Boston, seeing that the Celtics, with the league’s third best record, have two less losses (46-12) than the Clippers (with the league’s fourth worst record) have wins (14-43).

I happen to frequent many Clipper games and am sorry to say it is a sad sight for the most consistent home dog in NBA league history. At a typical Clipper game you can generally expect a quarter of the spectators to don nonchalant casual attire, half the crowd to be in Lakers gear, and the other quarter is split between Clippers and the road team's paraphernalia.

It’s as if L.A. basketball fans are too lazy or too embarrassed to wear anything with a Clippers logo on it. You would think the fans were going overseas to a hostile country, and, rather than be persecuted for their allegiances, leave anything with red, white and blue on it (in this case LAC red, white and blue) at home.

Let me point out that whenever a major-market team comes into town they bring in scores of fans to see their team play. So the percentages change whereby you can expect half the crowd to be decked out in the away team's gear with a quarter in Lakers stuff and the other quarter split into casual and Clippers wardrobe. 

The Boston faithful did not disappoint as they poured in, droves clad in green and white, walking around mocking all things L.A. around Staples Center, including the giant Magic Johnson statue which stands tall like a sentinel at the 11th street entrance. 

Now I must admit it was weird to see people mocking Magic in LA, but these were Boston fans so the wounds of the '80s still run deep in the hearts and minds of the Celtic faithful.  Many of whom I’m sure came to the Clippers game because they were unable or unwilling to score Laker tickets. 

And lets face it, it’s always nice to see your favorite out of town team win, and in L.A., the probability of that happening dramatically increases going up against the Clips (especially this year).

So as I gingerly strolled up to the arena around 6:30pm, I thought just a typical night with an eastern conference Goliath set to destroy L.A.’s lowly David.

But things seemed to take an interesting turn at about the 2:40 mark in the first quarter when Baron Davis was able to stop the one-man fast break that is Rajon Rondo by staying in front of the young guard and drawing a charge in transition.  It became apparent that the C’s (and I’m not talking about the Celtics) meant business.

Granted Kevin Garnett, arguably the most important member of the Celtics big three, did not suit up. But despite not having the “Big Ticket” they were still able to create a nine-point lead.

Moreover, the Clippers were without last year's only returning starter Al Thornton and rookie of the year candidate, Eric Gordon, who left in the second half with a shoulder injury.

But as the clock began to dwindle and the bench for L.A. got shorter and shorter there didn’t seem to be a lack confidence in the building, as the Clips were still in the game and enthusiasm began to grow like Baron’s beard.

In the end it was LA’s grit and tenacity that pulled out the victory over Boston’s star power.  Two thunderous yet gracefully acrobatic putback dunks by the nonsensically discarded Marcus Camby and gutty defense on Paul Pierce by the oft-overlooked Mardy Collins in the fourth quarter bolstered the performance of journeyman Zach Randolph’s 30-point performance.  Even Ricky Davis and Fred Jones got into the act with timely play.

I don’t want to gush too much, but collectively the Clips looked as spry as the proverbial Nate Robinson leaping over and dunking on the defending champ Dwight “Superman” Howard. This time David, instead of using a slingshot and a rock, used a basketball and net and slam-dunked on Goliath.

Exiting the Staples Center, the effervescent sound of jubilant Clipper fans celebrated a tough win after a fiercely competitive game.  This against a title contender and a hated regional rival no less! It was as if last year's NBA Finals were replayed with the role of LA recast as the Clippers and champagne bottles had popped!

It was awe-inspiring and begs the question—what is the ceiling on this young Clippers squad?  Will they be able to build on this momentum?  Also, is L.A. in the head of Boston’s collective psyche as the Celtics are O-for-L.A. in three games this season?

Before I get ahead of myself, these two teams meet again in Boston on March 23rd. But in the meantime let enjoy the Clippers latest win streak. PLAY LOUD!