Pre-Season Game 3 (10/26)
Chicago Bulls
@
Los Angeles Clippers
Starters:
Clippers
S. Cassell
C. Mobley
C. Maggette
E. Brand
C. Wilcox
Bulls
K. Hinrich
B. Gordon
L. Deng
M. Sweetney
T. Chandler
Game Report
The starting lineup for the Clips remained unchanged, despite calls for Smooth Shaun Livingston to start. The Clippers got off to a great start, leading by as many as 11 in the first quarter. However, some deadly shooting from Ben '4th quarter' Gordon pulled the Bulls back into the game. The score at the half was 45-42 to the Clippers. Ben Gordon had 15 for the Bulls, while Elton Brand lead the way for the Clips with 12.
The second half was a tight affair, with both teams switching the lead. However, with 3 minutes to go in the 4th, two 3 pointers in a row from Hinrich and Gordon gave the Bulls a 7 point lead. The Clippers had to make something happen, and quick. So they went to swingman Corey Maggette, who duly delivered, scoring 9 4th quarter points, and tying the game. Clippers had the last possession, and with the game tied at 97, gave the ball to Maggette. However, with 6 on the clock, Maggette saw Kaman posting up, and for some crazy reason, threw Kaman the pass! Kaman went for the layup, for the win and...... BOOM!!! Tyson Chandler came from behind with a huge block!!! He collected the ball, and threw the pass downcourt to Ben Gordon, who missed the buzzer beater. The game went to O.T....
O.T was luckily (for GM IJBL's heart) a much calmer affair for the Clippers, as they played solid defense, and quickly built up a lead. Corey Maggette again lead the way, making up for earlier misses. Shaun Livingston shipped in with a couple of trips to the line, and Chris Kaman mopped up all the defensive rebounds that came his way. The game finished 111-102, a great win for the Clippers, and a great way to finish the pre-season!
Ben Gordon was on fire, shooting over 50% from the field for 30 points.
Final Score:
Clippers - 111
Bulls - 102
Notable Performances:
LAC - Corey Maggette (27pts, 7reb, 11/30 FG)
LAC - Shaun Livingston (8pts, 7ast, 2/9 FG)
LAC - Elton Brand (22pts, 2reb, 11/16 FG)
CHI - Ben Gordon (30pts, 7ast, 4/10 3PT)
CHI - Tim Thomas (16pts, 3ast, 6/10 FG)
CHI - Tyson Chandler (10pts, 17reb, 4/8 FG)
Player of the Game:

LAC - Corey Maggette
27pts, 7reb, 1ast, 0blk, 1stl (11/30 FG, 0/2 3PT, 5/6 FT)
Corey came up big when it mattered: the 4th and O.T. Hopefully Maggette can build on this, and take the form into the regular season.