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Both teams in a mini-crisis after a good start

Tonight, the Clippers might be playing without their starting point guard (Paul) and their best shooter (Redick), which would take away from them the role of (big) favorites, especially if they play weak defense again

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After a great start of the season, Los Angeles Clippers have completely lost their rhythm and lost four of the last five games, and in the meantime they got problems with important player injuries. In their defeat at the Mavs, J.J. Redick got problems with his back, and he didn't play in Phoenix, nor did Chris Paul whose groin injury, because of which he already missed a game, worsened. To make things even worse, in the first half of the game against the Suns, Blake Griffin was sent off, so it is no surprise that the Clippers left the 'desert' with a 118-104 defeat. 

- I think it was a horrible decision. He definitely hasn't said enough - coach Doc Rivers commented on Griffin's sent of, after which the Suns made a 9-0 run and took a 10-point lead.

Whatever the Rivers' coach told to his players during halftime, that didn't reach them, since the Clippers conceded 35 points in the third quarter after which they didn't stand a chance anymore. 

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- There are no excuses. We need them. That is obvious, but we have a wide enough team that we can win without them. We weren't good enough - said Austin Rivers. 

Younger Rivers and Pablo Prigioni have been outplayed by the Suns' starting duo (Bledsoe, Knight) 63-17. One of the rare players who was in a good mood was veteran Jamaal Crawford who scored 18 points, while Wesley Johnson added 14. 

Since they played without their trio that scores 58 points combined, the Clippers have an excuse for the defeat, but their behavior on the court definitely wasn't at the right level. We can see just how deconcentrated they were from the information that they missed 13 out of 28 free throws, and they allowed the Suns 53,0% of shots from the floor, including 14/30 three pointers. 

- Our defense was horrible. I don't believe that we cannot win if we're missing several players. I am mostly disappointed with our commitment - said coach Rivers whose team still hasn't out-jumped anyone, even though they have DeAndre Jordan (12,6 rebounds per game) and Griffin (9,6). 

The Clippers' defense has been getting worse with each game. They concede 105,1 points which is almost as much as they score (105,6), and a team with title aspirations cannot allow itself to play only on one side of the court. 

- They have to have the sense of urgency. Some things need to be corrected. There are no easy opponents on the West so we will be tested every night - said Wesley Johnson.

It is still unknown if Redick and Paul will return to the starting line up, and in case they don't, it is unlikely that coach Rivers will decide to start the game with Prigioni once again, considering what the Suns did to the 39-year-old Argentinian and Detroit Pistons also had a great start of the season, but then faltered a bit. Stan Van Gundy's team won five of the first six games before they lost on Tuesday against defending champions, and the similar thing happened to them the night before that in Sacramento where they lost 101-92, mostly thanks to their bad performance in the first half. 

- We didn't go out ready to play. I don't think they hit some hard shots in the first half. We made things easier for them - said coach Van Gundy whose team allowed the Kings 50,0% of shots from the floor and 9/16 three pointers. 

The Pistons really needed the two day rest, especially Andre Drummond who is fighting under the basket. He is currently at an average of 18,8 points and 19,3 rebounds, and his numbers are incredible which is confirmed by the information that Dennis Rodman was the last player that finished a season with an average of at least 16 rebounds (1996/97).