Clippers/Magic preview

The Magic (41-24, 19-12 home), winners of 9 of their last 12 games, take on the struggling LA CLippers (21-41, 9-19 road), losers of 8 of their last 10 games. However, LAC is coming off a 99-98 win at MIA MON, and were led in scoring by former Magic G Cuttino Mobley with 29 pts. Former Magic first round draftee Corey Maggette added 22 pts as did Al Thornton. Clippers C Chris Kaman (16.0 ppg, 13.1 rebs) had to sit out against MIA because of lower back pain, and may not play against the Magic. Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston both most likely will not play this season as they recover from major injuries.

The probable LAC starting lineup:

G... Brevin Knight (4.5 ppg)
G... Queitin Ross (4.1 ppg)
F... Corey Maggette (22.1 ppg, 5.7 rebs)
F... Al Thornton (11.8 ppg)
C... Josh Powell (4.3 ppg)

Top reserves... Cuttino Mobley (12.8 ppg); Tim Thomas (12.8 ppg, 5.3 rebs); Ruben Patterson (5.1 ppg); Dan Dickau (4.9 ppg)

LAC is averaging 93.9 ppg, while allowing 99.6 ppg. ORL is averaging 104.7 ppg while allowing 100.3 ppg.

According to the Sentinel's Tim Povtak, Magic G KDooling was available to play against ATL, but Coach Van Gundy decided to go with CArroyo as the backup to JNelson. It'll be interesting to see if that changes from game-to-game.

The Magic beat the Clippers 113-107 back in JAN. No line out yet for tonight's game because of the uncertainty of Kaman playing or not.

For more Magic coverage, check out Ben Q. Rock's thirdquartercollapse.com blog and also Magic Man Evan's boldnblue.blogspot.com blog.