CLIPPERS MAKE IT DIFFICULT SIXERS' COMEBACK CHARGE FALLS A 3-POINTER SHORT CLIPPERS 101, PHILADELPHIA 98.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

Philadelphia didn't have its ``Answer,'' and the Clippers never had their answer until the final seconds.

After leading most of the game, the Clippers had some unnecessary nerve-racking moments and survived a last-second 3-point try by Eric Snow to win 101-98 on Friday night in front of 17,743 at Staples Center.

The Clippers had a seven-point lead with 2:30 left. But from that point, they missed three free throws, had two costly turnovers and gave Philadelphia possession with 6.3 seconds left.

Snow missed a last-second attempt to send it to overtime, and it took almost a full dismantling to find themselves that close.

The Sixers pulled to 100-98 with 33.9 seconds left, when Snow had a layup. After Quentin Richardson made one of two free throws with 23.7 seconds left, the Clippers had a 101-98 lead, which stood up.

``What I like is how they bounce back,'' Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. ``They get down big in a game, then they'll come back, give you a big effort and get back into the game. Or they can have a bad game and come back the next game and play really well the next game. I like the bounce back we have.''

The Clippers (12-13) won their fifth consecutive game at home.

All five Clippers starters scored in double figures, with Chris Wilcox getting the start instead of Chris Kaman because of Philadelphia's small lineup.

Elton Brand had 20 points, nine rebounds and five blocks, and Richardson scored 22 points, but did not play for much of crunch time. Corey Maggette added 18 points.

Allen Iverson missed his eighth consecutive game with a bruised right knee.

``I think when you're short-handed, you need guys to step up,'' Sixers coach Randy Ayers said. ``Fortunately for us, they have, to keep us around the .500 mark.''

--Clippers notes: Executive vice president Andy Roeser is scheduled to return from Good Samaritan Hospital today, after doctors repaired a dislocated and fractured hip. Roeser, who lives in Belmont Shore and often is described as owner Donald T. Sterling's right-hand man, was extreme skiing in Mammoth on Tuesday when the injury occurred.

Joe Stevens, [phone]

joe.stevens(at)presstelegram.com

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Photo:

The Clippers' Chris Wilcox drives around the Sixers' Samuel Dalembert in the first quarter of Friday's game at Staples Center.

Jill Connelly/Associated Press

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