CLIPPERS FIND SPARK RICHARDSON POINTS THE WAY IN FOURTH QUARTER CLIPPERS 109, CLEVELAND 103.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

The Clippers were gone from Staples Center for so long - 13 days - that it first appeared as if they were still on the road. They didn't play with much life, made countless mental mistakes and looked as if they were waiting to give away yet another game.

But then Quentin Richardson took over, inside and out, with 3-point shots and dunks.

Richardson scored 11 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter as the Clippers beat the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 109-103 in front of 17,798 Friday night.

This was one of those close games in which no team took control until the fourth quarter.

Richardson scored 10 points in the first 3:33 of the fourth quarter to give the Clippers an 86-73 lead and force Cleveland to call a timeout. That was a dramatic turnaround from a humdrum game that had 20 lead changes until the Clippers took over in the fourth quarter.

At first, the fourth quarter looked as if it would be all Clippers, but they had a rough time closing out the game.

Cleveland stayed close and with 36.9 seconds left, pulled to 105-99 when Jumaine Jones made a 3-point shot. Jones also made a jump shot with 25.2 seconds left to pull Cleveland to 108-103, but that was as close as the Cavs would get.

The Cavs lost their ninth consecutive game.

Elton Brand had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Michael Olowokandi scored a season-high 19 points and had 10 rebounds to lead the Clippers.

Andre Miller had 24 points and 10 assists, and former Clipper Lamond Murray had 24 points for the Cavs.

Richardson had his 22 points in just 24 minutes, off the bench. He made 8 of 13 shots.

This was the Clippers' first home game since Jan. 5. They improved to 17-7 at home, quite a contrast to their 3-13 road record.

The Clippers took a 67-62 lead with 3:02 left in third quarter, and that was the first time a team led by five or more.

After Richardson made a basket off a missed foul shot, the Clippers took a whopping, six-point lead, 70-64, with 1:29 left in the third quarter.

CLIPPERS vs. PORTLAND

Tipoff: 7 p.m., at the Rose Garden.

TV/Radio: No TV, 1150-AM.

Clippers (20-20) update: The Clippers have back-to-back games and will try to improve on their 3-13 road record. Against the Trail Blazers, they have split games. They lost 119-101 at Portland on Nov. 8 and won 112-97 at Staples Center on New Year's Day.

Portland (19-20) update: The Trail Blazers are coming off a 92-90 overtime loss to visiting Miami on Thursday night. The Heat's Eddie Jones made a desperation 3-point shot toward the end of regulation to help send the game to overtime. Derek Anderson had a team-high 19 points. Portland, Phoenix and the Clippers all are vying for the eighth and final playoff spot.

- Joe Stevens

CAPTION(S):

photo, 2 boxes

Photo:

The Clippers' Quentin Richardson, who scored 11 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, goes in for a layup against Cleveland's Ricky Davis.

Edna T. Simpson/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) CLIPPERS vs. PORTLAND (see text)

(2) GAME RECAP