Clippers clip Sonics
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Tim
Thomas and Cuttino Mobley each scored 15
points to help the Los Angeles Clippers
beat the Seattle SuperSonics 86-82 on Saturday
night.
Elton Brand added 13 points
and 13 rebounds for the Clippers, who were
playing their third game in as many days
after going 1-1 in the Lakers' annual
Staples Center
Shootout.
The Clippers never trailed
despite committing 20 turnovers and playing
without injured guard Sam Cassell (strained
left calf) centre Chris Kaman (strained
left hamstring) and centre Zeljko Rebraca
(back).
Ray Allen scored 19 points
for the Sonics, who were short-handed because
of injuries to Danny Fortson (left knee)
and Kareem Rush (groin strain). Rashard
Lewis had 13 points and nine rebounds.
Allen scored seven straight
points during a 14-0 run, which ended with
a three-pointer by Earl Watson and a layup
by Nick Collison as the Sonics pulled into
an 80-all tie with 3:07 to play. But Brand
put Los Angeles back in front 19 seconds
later with a layup, ending a 4:03 span between
field goals for the Clippers.
Quinton Ross hit a 17-footer
from in front of the Seattle bench to give
Los Angels an 84-80 lead with 48 seconds
left. Lewis came back with a dunk at the
other end and the Clippers lost possession
on a shot clock violation, giving the Sonics
the ball with 13.2 seconds on the clock.
Allen misfired on a three-point
shot over Ross and Thomas grabbed the defensive
rebound before Mobley clinched it with a
pair of free throws.
Thomas, who was 1-for-11
from the field in Thursday night's one-point
win over the Lakers, led the Clippers to
a 49-34 halftime lead with 13 points - including
a three-pointer that capped a 9-0 run at
the end of the second quarter. They opened
the game with a 15-4 run, as Allen picked
up two fouls in the first 2:35 and the Sonics
made only one of their first 11 shots.
Allen returned to the floor
with 7:39 left before halftime and Seattle
down by six. But the Sonics, who have lost
four straight after routing Portland in
their pre-season opener, never could overtake
the Clippers and finished the game shooting
35.5 per cent from the field.
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