CLIPPERS WANT TO CLOSE THE DEAL QUICKLY WIN OVER NUGGETS WOULD GIVE THEM TIME TO REST BEFORE SECOND-ROUND SERIES.

Byline: JOE STEVENS Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - Forgive the Clippers if they're feeling confident.

They have a chance to win their first playoff series tonight since the franchise moved to California from Buffalo in 1978. They also have a chance to get some much-needed rest before facing the winner of the Lakers/Phoenix Suns series.

The Clippers, who own a 3-1 edge over the Denver Nuggets in their Western Conference first-round playoff series, have various reasons to think they should have no problem with advancing tonight. But they say they're sticking with the sports cliche, that they cannot afford to look past Denver because who knows what can happen.

"The hardest game in a series is the close-out game," Clippers veteran Sam Cassell said. "When a team is clawing and fighting for their survival, they're willing to do anything. As a team, we got to understand that and put forth the effort."

After winning 100-86 in Game 4 on the road in a contest they led by as many as 23points, the Clippers have what Nuggets coach George Karl termed as "major momentum." They also have history on their side, because only seven teams out of 160 have come back from 3-1 deficits in NBA postseason history.

It would be logical for the Clippers to look ahead to the Western Conference semifinals, but coach Mike Dunleavy says he refuses to ponder the possibility of having a "hallway series" against the Lakers.

"Right now as we stand, we don't think there is any team in this league we cannot beat," Dunleavy said. "We're playing well. We're doing what we need to do."

Even though the Clippers haven't been in the playoffs in nine years, Dunleavy continued, "We are built for the playoffs. We can play big. We can play small. We can play fast. We can play slow. We're a defensive team, and that's what playoff basketball is all about."

If that's the case, then they should not have too hard of a time against the Nuggets. The Clippers have held Nuggets star to Carmelo Anthony to 34.2 percent shooting (25 of 73) in the series, and the Nuggets have only shot more than 40 percent once - in their Game 4 loss. Anthony has averaged 20.5points per game and has missed at least 10 shots in each game.

Notes: Clippers center Chris Kaman would love for the Clippers to clinch tonight against the Nuggets, so he can avoid going back to Denver for Game 6. He has repeatedly said he gets sick every time he goes there, and he nearly missed Game 4 because of a viral infection. "There's nothing wrong with the city, but it's not for me," Kaman said. "It takes longer to adjust than three days or five days. I didn't adjust the whole time we were there. If I had to play there again, there's nothing I can do about it. I hope I won't get sick again." ... Elton Brand was presented the Joe Dumars Trophy for winning the NBA's Sportsmanship Award. Brand beat second-place Shaquille O'Neal and third-place Yao Ming in the voting. NBA players voted on the winner. ... The Nuggets said that Kenyon Martin's suspension, which came after he got into an argument with coach George Karl at halftime of Game 2, will last through their series with the Clippers.

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Photo:

The Clippers' Elton Brand was named the winner of the NBA's Sportsmanship Award.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

Box:

WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND, BEST-OF-7 CLIPPERS LEAD, 3-1