The Sports Report: Clippers in familiar playoff territory

Howdy, I’m your host, Houston Mitchell. Let’s get proper to the information.

Andrew Greif on the Clippers: This Clippers season has been so disjointed, its roster so fragmented by accidents and COVID-related absences, that recognizing significant traits has felt arduous even for these inside the franchise, like piecing collectively shredded strips of a once-whole paper to see the larger image.

However there amid the night-to-night modifications to the workforce’s harm report, the size harm to main scorer Paul George and the 16 totally different beginning lineups, level guard Reggie Jackson stated earlier this week that he’d noticed a consistency of intent and energy. The workforce might cycle via as many 10-day contracts because it wanted, he stated Wednesday, however he predicted a don’t-quit mantra would someway persist.

It was all there once more Thursday – a comeback from 19 down within the first half to only 5 with six minutes to play at Footprint Heart sending murmurs of frustration all through an area that had seen a shorthanded Clippers roster grow to be troublesome to complete off solely six months earlier, within the Western Convention finals.

Phoenix shot simply 19% within the third quarter, held to 19 factors, permitting the Clippers a manner again into sport that they had appeared to lose grasp of within the second quarter, which Phoenix opened with a 17-2 run to guide comfortably at halftime.

However ultimately the distinction in one of many West’s elite contenders and a workforce holding onto its playoff life emerged in a 106-89 Phoenix win.

The Clippers nonetheless have battle. However Phoenix nonetheless has Chris Paul.

One in every of basketball’s finest closers scored 5 factors, with 5 assists and 4 rebounds with out committing a turnover in 10 fourth-quarter minutes to bury the Clippers comeback hopes and plunge their report under .500, at 19-20.

Paul completed with 14 factors, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to shut out what the Suns’ position gamers had began. With heart Deandre Ayton out, Cam Johnson scored 24 factors and Jalen Smith added 19 factors and 14 rebounds.

UCLA MEN’S BASKETBALL

Ben Bolch on the Bruins: Twenty-six days later, as UCLA made its long-awaited return, the Bruins discovered themselves in a surreal scene paying homage to one yr in the past.

There was an area that was practically empty. Pretend fan noise. Piped-in band music when gamers ran onto the court docket earlier than the sport.

Reminders of the pandemic’s persevering with grip could possibly be seen and heard in all places Thursday night inside Pauley Pavilion. Happily for the Bruins, there have been additionally some acquainted on-court traits that endured within the workforce’s first sport in practically a month.

Senior guard Jules Bernard continued his season-long surge and UCLA possessed greater than sufficient firepower even with its protection fading badly within the second half of a 96-78 victory over Lengthy Seaside State in a swiftly organized rematch.

The Bruins (9-1) used a robust second-half push to win that first assembly in a 100-79 victory however have been higher within the first half Thursday earlier than guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. left departed with a sprained proper ankle.

Lengthy Seaside State scored 49 factors within the second half whereas making 55.6% of its photographs however couldn’t make up any floor with the Bruins matching the Seaside shot for shot.

USC MEN’S BASKETBALL

Isaiah Mobley had 19 factors and 9 rebounds and sparked a late surge to assist maintain No. 7 USC unbeaten because the Trojans held off California 77-63.

Taking part in for the primary time in practically three weeks after having three video games postponed or canceled resulting from COVID points, USC (13-0, 3-0 Pac-12) pulled away with a pair of massive runs within the second half to increase its finest begin since profitable its first 14 in 2017.

Mobley, who opened the sport with a thunderous one-handed dunk, made a number of clutch jumpers and repeatedly attacked the Golden Bears protection within the paint. Drew Peterson scored a season-high 17 factors for the Trojans, and Boogie Ellis added 14 factors and 4 rebounds.

Grant Anticevich had 19 factors for California (9-6, 2-2), and Jordan Shepherd added 17 factors.

The Golden Bears misplaced regardless of turning into the primary workforce to shoot higher than 40% towards the Trojans.

RAMS

Gary Klein on the Rams: As a workforce captain and five-time Professional Bowl participant, star cornerback Jalen Ramsey helps set the tone for the Rams protection.

Sometimes, Ramsey directs his spirited, aggressive strategy at opponents, whereas additionally inspiring teammates.

However throughout the first quarter of final Sunday’s victory at Baltimore, Ramsey struck Rams security Taylor Rapp within the face within the huddle.

Ramsey stated Thursday that it was “private disagreement” particular to one thing that occurred throughout the sport.

“We have been in a position to transfer on, help one another via the sport, talk higher all through the remainder of the sport, give one another calls all through the remainder of the sport,” Ramsey stated throughout a videoconference with reporters. “We’re advantageous now.

“However throughout the warmth of the sport, each of us being tremendous passionate, desirous to make the suitable name and put ourselves in the suitable place for the workforce, we simply had a disagreement after which it obtained dealt with the way it obtained dealt with, however we moved on from it.

“I hope all people else can too. That’s my canine. ‘T. Rapp’ is my canine. We aren’t tripping about none of that.”

Rapp was not made out there to reporters Thursday.

CHARGERS

Jeff Miller on the Chargers: They exchanged a bit trash discuss again in October.

This week, Joey Bosa and Derek Carr exchanged something however.

“I’m a fan of him,” stated Bosa, who on Thursday referred to as Carr “one of many high passers” within the NFL, “a very good man” and a “nice competitor.”

Carr, chatting with reporters in Las Vegas a day earlier, labeled the Chargers’ Professional Bowl edge rusher as “among the finest on the planet” earlier than including, “I feel the world of Joey.”

Coming into the groups’ sport Sunday evening at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Bosa and Carr swapped the type of respect befitting gamers with a mixed 14 NFL seasons who will share the identical subject for the ninth time.

LAKERS

Broderick Turner on the Lakers: Stanley Johnson, who was spectacular throughout his first stint with the Lakers, signed a second 10-day contract with the workforce, Los Angeles introduced Thursday morning.

Johnson had signed a 10-day hardship exemption contract with the Lakers after they have been coping with COVID-19 points, and he was impactful.

Johnson, who attended Santa Ana‘s Mater Dei Excessive, averaged 6.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals in 25.2 minutes throughout 5 video games, three begins, with the Lakers this season.

KINGS

Filip Forsberg had a aim and an help for his third straight multi-point outing, Matt Duchene obtained his first aim in 10 video games and the Nashville Predators prolonged their profitable streak to a few with a 4-2 victory over the Kings.

Forsberg tops the NHL with 12 objectives since Nov. 30 as Nashville has gone 11-2-1 in its final 14 video games to seize the Central Division lead.

Matt Luff and Yakov Trenin additionally scored for the Predators, and Roman Josi added two assists. Juuse Saros stopped 46 photographs, tied for the fourth-most of his profession.

Dustin Brown and Martin Frk scored for Los Angeles, which misplaced regardless of having a 48-20 benefit in photographs. Jonathan Fast made 16 saves.

DUCKS

The scheduled sport Thursday evening between the Geese and the Detroit Crimson Wings has been postponed to Sunday due to COVID-19-related points affecting the Geese.

Anaheim put heart Sam Carrick, goaltender John Gibson, defenseman Hampus Lindholm and proper wing Vinni Lettieri into the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols.

The Crimson Wings are also set to play Saturday evening on the Kings and finish their journey Tuesday evening at San Jose.

FIGURE SKATING

Helene Elliott on figure skating: Mariah Bell’s timing was as impeccable as her method and magnificence.

Bell, who trains at Nice Park Ice in Irvine, hadn’t landed a triple-triple leap mixture in a determine skating occasion this season. Competing Thursday evening within the U.S. championships, which is able to affect the choice of the U.S. workforce for the Beijing Olympics, Bell landed a clear triple flip-triple toe mixture to assist her lead the sphere after the primary section of the ladies’s competitors.

Bell earned 75.55 factors at Nashville’s Bridgestone Area, boosted by 41.14 factors for the technical parts of her efficiency to “River Flows in You” by Yiruma. When the strain was on, she delivered a mesmerizing program. “We’re all very fortunate to be right here and have this superb alternative to make our desires come true,” stated Bell, whose teaching workforce contains 2018 U.S. males’s Olympian Adam Rippon.

“In the present day felt actually superior. I’m actually fortunate to have the ability to be right here and be in good well being.”

Karen Chen is shut behind at 74.55, with two-time U.S. champion Alysa Liu in third with 71.42 factors as she pursues her first Olympic spot. The ladies’s occasion will finish on Friday, with the free skate. Defending champion Bradie Tennell withdrew earlier within the week due to a foot harm.

A range committee will take into account skaters’ performances in nationwide and worldwide competitions over the previous yr when awarding the Olympic berths. Three males’s singles rivals, three girls’s singles rivals, three ice dance groups and two pairs groups will go to Beijing.

ANGELS

Mike DiGiovanna on the Angels: The Angels teaching employees for subsequent season is almost full with Ray Montgomery’s shift from the entrance workplace to bench coach, the workforce confirmed Thursday.

Montgomery, 52, was the Angels’ director of participant personnel in 2021 after spending six years with the Milwaukee Brewers as a vp and particular assistant to the final supervisor and 4 years with the Arizona Diamondbacks because the director of scouting.

Mike Gallego, who spent the earlier two seasons as bench coach underneath supervisor Joe Maddon, will stay on the employees and coordinate the workforce’s protection.

HORSE RACING

John Cherwa on horse racing: The California Horse Racing Board, in an try and quell the firestorm surrounding its equine medical director, has eliminated Dr. Jeff Blea from the investigation surrounding the dying of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit. It would now be headed by Dr. John Pascoe, government affiliate dean of the UC Davis Faculty of Veterinary Drugs.

Blea will proceed as equine medical director and the board is hoping this transfer will convey détente with the state Veterinary Medical Board, which quickly suspended Blea’s license Monday over considerations about him overseeing the Medina Spirit necropsy and investigation.

TENNIS

Locked in a dispute over his COVID-19 vaccination standing, Novak Djokovic was confined to an immigration detention hotel in Australia on Thursday because the No. 1 males’s tennis participant on the planet awaited a court docket ruling on whether or not he can compete within the Australian Open later this month.

Djokovic, a vocal skeptic of vaccines, had traveled to Australia after Victoria state authorities granted him a medical exemption to the nation’s strict vaccination necessities. However when he arrived late Wednesday, the Australian Border Drive rejected his exemption as invalid and barred him from getting into the nation.

A court docket listening to on his bid to stave off deportation was set for Monday, whereas the 34-year-old Serb and defending Australian Open champion was pressured to attend it out in Melbourne at a safe lodge utilized by immigration officers to deal with asylum seekers and refugees.

THIS DATE IN SPORTS

1920 — Joe Malone of Quebec scores two objectives to grow to be the NHL’s profession chief with 59 and leads the Bulldogs to a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Arenas.

1925 — Harry Broadbent of the Montreal Maroons scores 5 objectives in a 6-2 overcome Hamilton.

1972 — The Lakers defeat the Atlanta Hawks 134-90 for his or her thirty third straight victory, an NBA report.

1979 — The Pittsburgh Steelers win their third AFC championship by beating the Houston Oilers 34-5 in a chilly, regular rain at Three Rivers Stadium.

1981 — Marcel Dionne of the Kings scores his 1,000th level with a aim in a 5-3 overcome the Hartford Whalers.

1987 — Gary Bossert of Niagara units an NCAA report by hitting 12 of 14 three-point photographs, together with 11 straight, towards Siena.

1992 — Pitchers Tom Seaver and Rollie Fingers are elected to the Baseball Corridor of Fame. Seaver receives the very best share of votes in baseball historical past.

1997 — Rutgers-Camden ends its NCAA-record 117-game dropping streak with a 77-72 victory over Bloomfield School. The Division III Pioneers have been winless since beating Ramapo 74-73 on Jan. 18, 1992.

2003 — Kobe Bryant makes an NBA-record 12 photographs from 3-point vary, together with 9 straight, and scores 45 factors within the Lakers’ 119-98 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics.

2004 — Brian Boucher turns into the primary NHL goalie in nearly 55 years to report 4 consecutive shutouts. His 27 saves carry the Phoenix Coyotes previous Washington 3-0.

2006 — The New England Patriots set an NFL mark with 10 straight postseason victories by beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 28-3. New England’s milestone surpasses the 9 straight playoff victories by Inexperienced Bay within the Sixties.

2007 — Coach Phil Jackson will get his 900th NBA victory because the Lakers defeat Dallas 101-98. Jackson is the quickest to succeed in 900, doing so in 1,264 video games.

2008 — Second-ranked LSU turns the BCS nationwide championship sport right into a horrible replay for No. 1 Ohio State. Matt Flynn throws 4 landing passes in a 38-24 win. LSU (12-2) turns into the primary two-loss workforce to play for the title and wins its second BCS crown in 5 seasons.

2010 — Alabama knocks Texas quarterback Colt McCoy out of the BCS title sport early and goes on to a 37-21 victory for the Crimson Tide’s first nationwide title since 1992.

2011 — Rookie Luke Harangody has profession highs with 17 factors and 11 rebounds for his first NBA double-double, and the Boston Celtics earn the three,000th victory in franchise historical past, beating the Toronto Raptors 122-102.

2012 — Previous Dominion routs hapless Towson 75-38 giving the Tigers the NCAA Division I report for consecutive losses at 35. Towson had been tied at 34 with Sacramento State.

2012 — Jarome Iginla scores his five hundredth aim, main the Calgary Flames to a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Iginla is the forty second participant in NHL historical past to succeed in the milestone and the fifteenth to do it with one workforce.

2013 — Alabama rolls to its second consecutive BCS championship, and third in 4 seasons, beating No. 1 Notre Dame 42-14 in a BCS championship sport. AJ McCarron throws 4 landing passes and Eddie Lacy runs for 140 yards and scores twice for the second-ranked Crimson Tide.

Provided by the Related Press

And at last

Tom Seaver’s Corridor of Fame speech. Watch and listen here. Rollie Fingers’ Corridor of Fame speech. Watch and listen here.