The Clippers trailed the Houston Rockets 56-54 at halftime at Staples Center on Wednesday. Glen “Big Baby” Davis scored just two points in six minutes off the bench, but they were loud, thanks to this dish from Matt Barnes:
Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis had a nice game Monday in a victory over Detroit/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, NBA.com
Coach Doc Rivers had high praise for the effort of Glen “Big Baby” Davis in Monday night’s 113-91 victory over the visiting Detroit Pistons.
Davis scored eight points on 4 of 5 shooting. He also had four rebounds, two assists and three steals in 19 minutes off the bench.
“Glen was great,” Rivers said. “We told him to play as hard as he could and when you get tired, give us a signal. He did it twice, which was great. I love when a player plays hard enough to come out of the game. That is always a good sign.”
Glen “Big Baby” Davis threw down a rare dunk in Monday’s win over Minnesota/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, NBA.com
Glen “Big Baby” Davis can dunk, but the 6-foot-9, 290-pound backup power forward rarely does. Carrying that much weight, he has little in the way of liftoff.
But Davis did dunk early in the fourth quarter of Monday’s 127-101 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center. The rare dunk gave his team a 36-point lead and the starters roared their approval from the bench.
Coach Doc Rivers was asked about that moment ahead of Wednesday’s 114-86 victory over the Orlando Magic at Staples Center. His reaction to the dunk?
“Shocked,” Rivers said.
The reaction from the starters on the bench?
“That was the best excitement I’ve seen from our bench, probably this year,” Rivers said, “so I love when stuff like that happens.”
Chris Douglas-Roberts/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers
Chris Douglas-Roberts sat out Saturday’s 104-93 loss to Denver at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas with an ankle sprain, according to a report on Clippers.com. Douglas-Roberts is vying for the starting spot at small forward.
Also, backup guard Jordan Farmar had some back issues during the game and played only seven minutes.
And, backup post Glen “Big Baby” Davis missed his second consecutive game with a right groin strain. Coach Doc Rivers isn’t sure of the timetable for his return. He said Friday that Davis may be OK by the beginning of the regular season Oct. 30, but that he may not be in playing shape.
The Clippers, now 1-4, play their next exhibition game Tuesday at Golden State.(4-1).
The Clippers were in a must-win situation Monday when they played the visiting Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of their best-of-seven Western Conference playoff series after the Warriors won by four points in Game 1 on Saturday.
The Clippers went out and destroyed the Warriors to the tune of 138-98. But it’s just one victory, Glen “Big Baby” Davis reminded reporters this week.
“It was just one game,” said Davis, who was one of the reserves responsible for the overall terrific performance Monday. “We let Game 1 slip by us. Whatever we needed to wake us up, I feel like it did. Hopefully, we can keep this energy going, especially over there because it’s going to be a battle. … Just keeping that focus, just having that sense of urgency every game.”
Game 3 is Thursday at Oracle Arena in Oakland.
Clippers forward Blake Griffin had back spasms in the first half of Saturday’s game at Houston and was deemed unlikely to return.
Also, Glen “Big Baby” Davis was sent to the locker room during the first half after some kind of verbal confrontation with coach Doc Rivers. Clippers broadcasters on Prime Ticket did not expect Davis to return, either.
The Clippers, who entered one game ahead of the Rockets in the Western Conference standings, led 61-58 at halftime.
Houston was without center Dwight Howard (ankle) and point guard Patrick Beverley (knee). Also out for the Clippers was reserve Danny Granger.
The Clippers entered play with the ability to clinch a playoff spot with either a victory over the Rockets or a loss by the Dallas Mavericks.