[0] CLIPPERS LOSE IN OT L.A. RALLIES TO FORCE EXTRA TIME PHOENIX 95, CLIPPERS 89.Byline: Sean Kearns Staff Writer In the final minute, the Suns stole the show. Time after time Saturday night, the Clippers kept getting knocked down. Even a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit didn't knock the Clippers out. Improbably, the Clippers clung to the ropes with gritty defense and an offense that hit big shots and tied the game at the end of regulation. But the Suns were able to deliver the knockout blow in overtime, coming up with three steals in the final minute to seal a 95-89 win at Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. in front of before 13,510. Shawn Marion Shawn Dwayne Marion (born May 7, 1978 in Waukegan, Illinois) is an American professional basketball player. He currently plays small forward for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA, although he spent much of the 2004-05, 2005-06 and the 2006-07 seasons at power forward. led the Suns with 26 points, including six in overtime, and 10 rebounds. Cliff Robinson added 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists. The Clippers were led by Lamar Odom Lamar Joseph Odom (born November 6 1979, in South Jamaica, Queens, New York) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays power forward (also plays both forward spots and is a "point-forward") for the National Basketball Association's Los Angeles Lakers. with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Off the bench, Darius Miles Darius LaVar Miles (born October 9, 1981 in Belleville, Illinois) is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. Miles attended East St. Louis High School, and, after failing to receive a qualifying SAT score to attend St. and Keyon Dooling Keyon Latwae Dooling (born May 8, 1980 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Orlando Magic of the NBA. each had 13 points and Eric Piatkowski Eric Todd Piatkowski (pronounced IPA: /ˌpaɪətˈkaʊski/) (born September 30, 1970, in Steubenville, Ohio) is an American National Basketball Association player with the Phoenix Suns. added 12. The Clippers had their chance in overtime. Trailing by three, Rodney Rogers Rodney Ray Rogers (born June 20, 1971, in Durham, North Carolina) is a retired American basketball player who last played power forward for the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers. Rogers played college basketball at Wake Forest University from 1990 until 1993. stole an entry pass by Dooling to Odom. Still trailing, 90-87, Robinson stole an inbounds in·bounds adj. 1. Basketball Involving putting the ball into play by passing it from out of bounds to a teammate on the court. 2. Sports Within the designated boundaries. pass by Piatkowski. The final steal by Jason Kidd - with the Clippers trailing by four - all but ended the game. For much of Saturday night, the Clippers' offense remained lifeless - little movement and poor shooting. Then it came to life with an ally-oop dunk, fierce drives to the hole and jump shots that began to fall. The Clippers came back from 17 down in the fourth quarter to tie the game 82-82 at the end of regulation. Marion missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have put the game away. The Clippers looked out of the game after Kidd connected with Marion for an ally-oop dunk with 7:21 left to give the Suns a 75-59 lead. At that point the Clippers employed a lineup that mixed the youth of Dooling, Odom and Darius Miles with the experience of Sean Rooks and Piatkowski. Consecutive jump shots by Dooling, Odom and then Miles capped a 15-0 run and nearly erased the 16-point deficit at 75-74. A 3-point field goal by Mario Elle with 2:48 left didn't stop the momentum. Dooling connected with Miles on an ally-oop with 1:56 left to cut the score to 78-76. Piatkowski tied the score at 78 with 1:24 to go on two free throws. Marion hit a jump shot from the corner with 1:13 left to give Phoenix the lead at 80-78. Dooling responded with a drive and layup. The Suns took an 82-80 lead with 46.2 second left on a jump shot by Robinson. Dooling crossed over Kidd and finished with a finger roll over Rodney Rogers to tie the game with 38.2 second left. The Clipper went scoreless for the first five minutes of the third quarter. |
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