Clippers Size Up Competition

Being undersized is a problem for the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals against the Clippers, and it could become bigger tonight in Game 3 at Staples Center.

The Clippers used their size advantage Wednesday in routing the Suns, 122-97, in Game 2 at US Airways Center, tying the best-of-seven series at 1-1. Now, the Suns are on the defensive, trying to retake the lead in the series with the next two games on the Clippers’ home court.

The Suns should plan on having their hands full, however, because the Clippers say they are only getting started.

“No doubt, we’ve got a series now,” power forward Elton Brand said. “They have a quickness advantage, and a shooting advantage, on everybody in the league.

“For us, we have a size advantage. We feel we can go inside and hit the boards. We feel that can be big for us.”

That was the case in Game 2, when the Clippers had a 57-26 rebounding advantage, including 19-5 on offensive rebounds. On second-chance points, the Clippers outscored the Suns, 30-6.

“We got killed on the boards,” Phoenix forward Shawn Marion said, “and they got second-chance opportunities, so that’s the kicker. You know if you miss a shot, you’ll get the rebound back. You can do a lot more things.”

Brand and center Chris Kaman provided a powerful 1-2 punch. In a strong encore to his 40-point performance in Game 1, Brand scored a game-high 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Kaman, disappointed about his eight-point, seven-rebound effort in the series opener, bounced back well: 14 points and 16 rebounds in only 23 minutes.

“We’re bigger than these guys, and we know we can rebound and get to the basket,” Kaman said. “We kind of let them off the hook a little bit in the first game, but everybody knew what we had to do [Wednesday]. We just went out and did it.”

Of course, it’s not surprising the Clippers rebounded well Wednesday. The Clippers finished second in the league in rebounding and first in defensive rebounding, and the Suns know what they are up against.

“It’s going to be a long series,” Phoenix Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “These guys are good. They’re deep and they’re big.

“When Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley make shots like that, and you put Elton Brand with them and Kaman, we’re going to have to fight them.”

In Game 1, the Clippers had five more rebounds than the Suns, who shot 54.7% from the field and 44.4% on three-pointers in a 130-123 victory.

The Suns didn’t hit the mark as well in Game 2 and had fewer opportunities because of the Clippers’ defensive rebounding. Phoenix made 45.6% of its field-goal attempts and shot 34.6% on three-pointers.

“We shot a decent percentage, but they made a difference on the glass,” Phoenix point guard Steve Nash said. “We are going to give up some discrepancy on the boards, and second-chance points. Obviously, we’d like it to be smaller.”

Because of their matchup problems with Brand and Kaman, the Suns have used multiple double- and triple-team schemes against them, but that often puts players in poor rebounding positions.

“We were scattered around a little bit,” Marion said. “That’s what causes us to get beat for offensive rebounds, but there is a little bit more effort needed. You have to go out there and get it.

“You have to keep a body on guys. We all have to go out and rebound as a team.”

Unfortunately for the Suns, the Clippers have favorable size matchups throughout the lineup.

“We have big guards who can rebound,” Mobley said. “Their biggest, and strongest, guard is Raja Bell. Steve Nash is great, and Leandro Barbosa is really good, but you’ve got to give up something.

“We’re not quicker than them on the perimeter, but if Barbosa is under [the basket] with me, I’m going to battle him and get as many boards as possible. Then again, as soon as they get the ball, he’s out. And he’s fast. You just play to your strengths.”