Coach Dunleavy made winning at a home a priority for his ball club before the season started and his players have responded. The Clippers are 6-1 at Staples Center, the franchise's best start since winning nine of the first 10 home games in the 1974-75 season. The Clippers are beating their opponents at home by an average of 10.9 points game. Los Angeles is scoring 101.6 points while connecting on 48.7 percent of their shots while holding the other squad to 92.7 points per game and 38.9 percent from the deck. C Chris Kaman is one of the Clippers who have elevated their game when playing at home. On the season Kaman is averaging 8.1 points while grabbing eight rebounds per game overall but elevates his performance in the Staples Center contributing 10.7 points and 8.3. The Clippers bounced back from a 114-112 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers to even up the series by clobbering the Cavaliers 102-90. "It wasn't about revenge, it was about winning the game," said Clippers center Chris Kaman, who had 12 points and 19 rebounds, "We want to beat every team that steps on this floor." Elton Brand led the ways for the Clippers with 30 points and nine rebounds. Miamis coaching has been offensive of late. Coach Stan Van Gundy takes the blame for the teams loss on Friday night. "I'm about ready to hang myself in there. That was an absolutely ridiculous coaching decision," Van Gundy said. "It was just stupid. Especially when they brought Boykins back in the game. We should have matched up and played our defense. ... It was an absolute stupid decision." The Heat are currently 2-1 on their west coast swing after erasing a 14 point fourth deficit before falling short in a 104-102 loss to the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. All-Star Dwayne Wade had another great all round performance scoring 33 points, dishing out six assists and grabbing six rebounds. Antoine Walker had 20 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Miami as a team as picked up their current offensive output by scoring 97.7 points per game on 49.1 percent shooting over the last three road games. The Heat have won and covered three of the last four meeting with the Clippers. |