CLIPPERS GO HOLLYWOOD; ROBINSON LEADS UPSET OF JAZZ : CLIPPERS 111, UTAH 102.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

Leave it to the Clippers to drive to Anaheim to find Hollywood.

In their final game before the All-Star break, the Clippers showed why they signed free-agent guard James ``Hollywood'' Robinson to a long-term contract last summer.

Robinson came off the bench Tuesday night and scored a season-high 25 points as the Clippers upset the Utah Jazz 111-102 before 13,553 at the Pond.

It was exactly the type of performance the Clippers hoped Robinson would supply on a regular basis when he left Minnesota for Los Angeles. He made five 3-pointers and helped the Clippers weather Utah's second-half comeback.

``We needed this game bad,'' Robinson said. ``With the break coming, guys were just out there playing loose, laughing and playing basketball.''

The victory over Utah (30-15) gives the Clippers a positive sendoff to the All-Star break, and perhaps a brief moment to forget the problems during the first half of the season, which they finished at 11-37.

``It makes the break a lot better for everybody and even better for the coach,'' Clippers coach Bill Fitch said. ``Because the only films I'll be watching between now and next week is Utah.''

The Clippers resume their playing schedule next week in Salt Lake City against the Jazz.

Just like last Friday's disappointing loss to San Antonio, the Clippers held a big lead. They were ahead by as many as 21 points in the third quarter. But unlike last week, the Clippers' shooting did not falter late in the game. They shot 51.2 percent and withstood Utah's fourth-quarter rally.

The Jazz, which plays the Chicago Bulls tonight, cut the lead to 82-78 early in the fourth quarter, but Robinson made a 15-footer and a 3-point shot and L.A. boosted its lead back to 10 points.

``When I came out I had everything going for me,'' Robinson said. ``I know I can play this game.''

The Clippers also continued to get clutch performances from their young players. Lorenzen Wright had 17 points and 15 rebounds while rookie Maurice Taylor had 12 points and seven rebounds.

For Taylor, who hasn't experienced too many victories, this was the biggest of the season.

``Most definitely (the biggest),'' Taylor said. ``The best part was the second half. We were able to withstand their run and make a run of our own.''

It could have been devastating if the Clippers lost, because they had blown a 15-point second-half lead against the Spurs.

With the victory, Fitch finally tied Red Auerbach for second-most wins in NBA history (938). It's an accomplishment he's downplayed since nearing the mark.

``It never crossed my mind. We just needed a win,'' Fitch said. ``I never set that as a goal. It's a longevity mark for me.''

Notes: Brent Barry participated in warmups before the game, but did not suit up. He remains bothered by a sore left heel that has caused him to miss five games. ``He's worked on it a couple days with us, then was sore,'' Fitch said. ``This week, he'll have to work on his own.'' The Clippers will not practice again until Monday. . . . Taylor will spend today in Detroit with his family before heading for New York for the NBA Rookie Game. . . . Eric Piatkowski had another nice shooting performance, hitting 4 of 5 3-pointers and scoring 15 points. . . . The ever-evolving hairdo of Clippers center Keith Closs took another turn Tuesday. Closs arrived at the game with his hair braided with blue rubber bands.

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PHOTO Jazz forward Adam Keefe scores in front of Clippers forward Lamond Murray Tuesday night.

Associated Press