After a quick 10-1 start to the season generated title buzz around the LA Clippers, a recent 2-5 stretch capped by Wednesdays 115-98 loss to the Warriors has re-established their position in the Western Conference behind Golden State and the San Antonio Spurs.If the Clippers want to take that next step and challenge for a Finals appearance, journeyman center?Marreese Speights says they need to buy into a team effort -- and stop focusing so much on the officiating.First we need to start really just leaving the refs alone, Speights said after Wednesdays loss, according to The Orange County Register. Guys just got to sacrifice, do some other things than scoring, do some other things than your personal goals. Just try something new.Theyve been doing it here for four or five years and it hasnt been working, so its time to try something new.Coach Doc Rivers, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul each received a technical foul as the Warriors won for the seventh straight time over the Clippers.Speights spent the previous three seasons with the Warriors, winning an NBA title in 2014-15 and reaching the Finals last season. He said Wednesday was an example to the Clippers of how the Warriors share the ball, play team defense and put their opponents away.Tonight, they see it. They see everything I say, Speights said. Everything I say in practice since Ive been here, they see it. Thats how [the Warriors] play.Golden State?set a dominant tone in the first quarter when they shot 56 percent. They erased the Clippers one-point lead with a 28-9 run to lead 37-19.Speights said the Warriors game plan involved a quick start when they faced the Clippers.Thats the scouting report when you play against the Clippers, he said. Its always been, especially with the Warriors, you play against the Clippers, you hit them a couple of times and their spirit is going to be down. Thats what happened, so weve just got to find a way to get over that hump.Paul also acknowledged that things didnt go well Wednesday.Our spirit wasnt right, Paul said. We gave them a lot of baskets. A team that shoots as well as they do, we cant give them points.The teams are scheduled to meet three more times in the regular season, once in January and twice in February.Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.Hurricanes Jerseys 2020 .C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition. Fake Hurricanes Jerseys . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. https://www.cheaphurricanes.com/ .com) - The Montreal Canadiens embark on their first road trip of the season as they head out west to battle the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Carolina Hurricanes Gear . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Custom Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys . PETERSBURG, Fla.Kawhi Leonard is a mild-mannered, soft-spoken player when he takes the court for the San Antonio Spurs. Hes one of the most humble stars in the NBA. But during Christmas season, not even Leonard can shy away from getting into the spirit.The All-Star forward decided to surprise kids on Saturday by dressing up as Santa Claus while delivering gifts for the Elf Louise Christmas Project, which is dedicated to providing a little bit of joy to Bexar Countys less fortunatte children.ddddddddddddLeonard isnt known for talking much. Just hearing him say Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas is a treat for fans of all ages -- children or adults.Hes the type of player who allows his game to speak for itself. The good deed of putting smiles on the faces of youngsters is all the talking he needed to do.-- Josiah Turner ' ' '