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 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 percent
from the field.
