Ailing Clippers No Match for Golden State, 118-105
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The Clippers, playing without injured starters Cedric Maxwell, Derek Smith and James Donaldson, were routed by the Golden State Warriors, 118-105, Saturday night in their second NBA exhibition game before 2,127 fans at Rancho Santiago College in Santa Ana.
Benoit Benjamin, the Clippers’ first-round draft pick making his professional debut, had five points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots in 27 minutes. Forward Michael Cage was the best Clipper this night, scoring 16 points and pulling down 15 rebounds.
Clipper Coach Chaney was impressed by Benjamin’s defense, rebounding and outlet passing but said he was not in shape. Benjamin agreed.
“I was getting fatigued at the end,” Benjamin said. “Since this was my first game, I didn’t know how to react at first. But once I got playing, it got better.”
It is likely that Smith (abdominal pull), Maxwell (abdominal pull) and Donaldson (groin pull) also will miss tonight’s game against Portland at Cal Poly Pomona.
Purvis Short led the Warriors with 23 points, while Larry Smith had 12 points and 14 rebounds.
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