Paul, Billups, Griffin back vs. Heat
Share This Story
MIAMI (AP)
The Los Angeles Clippers are getting healthier. The Miami Heat are fighting the flu.
Chauncey Billups, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin returned to the Clippers' lineup on Friday night, when the Pacific Division leaders visited the reigning NBA champion Heat - who were without Ray Allen and Chris Bosh, both sidelined by an illness that has been going around the team.
Miami did have Dwyane Wade in the lineup, after he wasn't feeling well earlier Friday and missed the team's morning shootaround.
''We're trying to get our team back together,'' Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. ''Right now it's just about trying to manage through the injuries, trying to see if we can become whole as we move through this long road trip.''
Del Negro said he would manage the minutes of those players who are coming back from injuries, a list that also includes Jamal Crawford, who has been bothered by a sore right shoulder.
Billups has appeared in only three games this season and has most recently been bothered by left foot tendinitis. Paul missed the Clippers' last nine games before Friday with a bruised right kneecap, and Griffin sat out two games with a strained left hamstring.
For as strong as the Clippers have been at times this season - including a 17-game winning streak from Nov. 28 through Dec. 30 - Thursday marked the first time Del Negro had all 15 players available for practice. Even that was limited, since Griffin's leg kept him from participating in any full-court portion of that workout.
''We've got to get our rotations down, figure out who's healthy and what we can go to at certain times,'' Del Negro said. ''And that's going to take a little more concentration on our guys' part and understanding what we can do out there on a consistent basis.''
To say the Clippers were thrilled to have their full complement of players back was a bit of an understatement.
''The urgency and also the basketball IQ and disposition, everything, just went to a whole `nother level,'' Clippers forward Caron Butler said.
For the Heat, the flu has been a bit of an issue of late.
Heat President Pat Riley missed the team's recent visit to the White House because of the illness, and Bosh has been fighting it for much of this week. Allen was not at the shootaround, and it was clear then that he wouldn't be available for the Clippers game.
Miami next plays on Sunday, home again against the Los Angeles Lakers.
''I feel different each day,'' said Heat forward LeBron James, who has battled congestion this week. ''Just try to get as much Vitamin C, just try to take your vitamins, just try to stay on course and not let it affect you.''
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he wasn't caught off guard by the Clippers having their full roster back, and that Miami prepared for that likelihood.
There was one roster move the Heat made on Friday that wasn't illness-related: They signed forward-center Chris Andersen for the remainder of the season, as has been expected since they brought him into the organization three weeks ago.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Warriors fans killed in shooting
Two Golden State Warriors fans were killed in a shooting following Thursday night's p... -
Ex-NBA player stabbed in fight
Serbian police say Predrag Danilovic, who played for the Miami Heat and Dallas Maveri... -
Oxbow goes wire to wire in Preakness
Oxbow has won the Preakness, ruining Orb's bid to capture the Triple Crown. -
Griner: Mulkey told me to stay mum
In an interview, Brittney Griner says Baylor coach Kim Mulkey did not want the star p... -
Birdwoman says sorry for gesture
Heat fan Filomena "Birdwoman" Tobias is trying to bury the middle finger once and for...
NBA Videos
Weather by World Peace
Posted: May 18, 2013
Metta World Peace stops by FOX 11 Los Angeles to give the weather forecast.
Metta World Peace stops by FOX 11 Los Angeles to give the weather forecast.
Amico: Grizzlies/Spurs series preview
Posted: May 17, 2013
Sam Amico previews the Grizzlies/Spurs series. See if he thinks Memphis' surpris...
Sam Amico previews the Grizzlies/Spurs series. See if he thinks Memphis' surpris...
Spurs advance to Western Conference finals
Posted: May 17, 2013
Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker react to their Game 6 win over Golden State.
Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker react to their Game 6 win over Golden State.
NBA Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers Revolution 30 Performance Jersey - Red | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Clippers/browse/featuredproduct/491845/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_491000/ff_491845_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.95 | adidas Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers Revolution 30 Performance Jersey - Red |
| adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/498609/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_498000/ff_498609_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black |
| adidas Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey - Royal Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Knicks/browse/featuredproduct/620470/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_620000/ff_620470_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.99 | adidas Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey.. |
| Mitchell & Ness San Antonio Spurs Black Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Antonio_Spurs/browse/featuredproduct/692239/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_692000/ff_692239_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Mitchell & Ness San Antonio Spurs Black Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat |
| Majestic Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Logo Man T-Shirt - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/851828/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851828_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Majestic Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Logo Man T-Shirt - Black |
| Majestic Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder Logo Man T-Shirt - White | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oklahoma_City_Thunder/browse/featuredproduct/851842/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851842_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Majestic Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder Logo Man T-Shirt - White |
| adidas Miami Heat 2012 NBA Eastern Conference Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - White | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/890174/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_890000/ff_890174_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | adidas Miami Heat 2012 NBA Eastern Conference Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Wh.. |
| adidas Oklahoma City Thunder 2012 NBA Western Conference Champions Locker Room Flex Hat - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oklahoma_City_Thunder/browse/featuredproduct/890384/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_890000/ff_890384_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.99 | adidas Oklahoma City Thunder 2012 NBA Western Conference Champions Locker Room F.. |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.