[0] CLIPPERS SURPRISE WITH OPENING VICTORY : CLIPPERS 97, GOLDEN STATE 85.

Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer

It took the most adverse of conditions for the Clippers to show how good they really can be.

Before Friday's game with the Golden State Warriors, not even the Clippers knew that answer. However, their first collective effort since last season, including 19 points and 14 rebounds by Loy Vaught, led the Clippers to a surprising 97-85 win at the San Jose Arena.

It seemed like a perfect setup for Golden State. It was the Warrior's season opener in its temporary home and the Clippers were in town. But the Clippers didn't cooperate as 15,593 watched them dominate the game in the final three quarters. With his club executing in the second half, coach Bill Fitch didn't do too much yelling.

After an unimpressive exhibition season Vaught exemplified execution, scoring 13 points in the second half, including a layup with 3:41 remaining, to help the Clippers extend their lead to 12.

``I had a feeling about this game,'' Vaught said. ``I said before I thought we would come out with a win. This is a big confidence booster for this team.''

There are 81 more games but as unsure as the Clippers were about their ability with the absence of Brian Williams, it's a definite start.

The key was a 20-11 run during the third-quarter that gave the Clippers an 11-point lead. Vaught began hitting his favorite jumper from the side of the hoop and Pooh Richardson contributed 10 points in the second half, including the final five of the third quarter.

Before his eyes, Fitch saw the Clippers dominate every phase they had failed to do in the exhibition season. They outrebounded Golden State 49-39 and held the Warriors to 36 percent shooting.

Latrell Sprewell appeared to be the only Warrior who wasn't passive. He led Golden State with 29 points and, at times, penetrated only to find several waiting Clippers. Yet, he created his own shot. His 13 rebounds also led Golden State as no other Warrior had more than five rebounds.

``I thought we were aggressive on the glass,'' Fitch said. ``It was great to see every combination execute. There were some guys who didn't see the minutes they will. But I stayed with certain guys.''

Bo Outlaw played 24 minutes and contributed nine points and eight rebounds, while Lamond Murray, seemingly either hot or cold, was on in his native Bay Area with 13 points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes. He did a fine job spelling Rodney Rogers, who played only briefly in the second half because of foul trouble.

The center position, a big concern with Williams' absence, was stable with Kevin Duckworth's eight points. Fitch pulled Duckworth in the third quarter and went with Outlaw for the rest of the way.

That small lineup was aggressive on the boards and went after every loose ball. Vaught also bottled up a limping Joe Smith (sore ankle), who scored just eight points in 38 minutes. Chris Mullin didn't help much either with just eight points.

``I think it was a team effort,'' Vaught said. ``We all decided together to play the way we haven't been playing in the preseason. I think we surprised ourselves a little.''

And credit the Clippers guard play, which was nearly as uncertain as the center position. Darrick Martin, in his debut, scored 11 of his 13 points in the first half and gives the club a penetrating guard. Martin was quicker than both B.J. Armstrong and Mark Price, who made made his Warriors debut.

Martin and Richardson outshone the more heralded guards.

``We know who we are,'' Richardson said. ``I really can't worry about what the papers say. We know we are good enough to play against other teams.''