CLIPS BESTED BY EAST TOO INDIANA 101, CLIPPERS 94.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

Nothing came easy for either the Clippers or Pacers on Wednesday night, and the Clippers went to overtime for the fourth time this season.

Indiana eventually won 101-94 in front of 17,677 at Staples Center.

The Clippers had possession with 4.9 seconds left in regulation and the game tied at 87-87, but a desperation 3-point shot by Eddie House was an airball, far off the mark.

On the Pacers' previous possession, Ron Artest made a running jump shot to tie it with 10.9 seconds left.

Marko Jaric had a layup in traffic with 25.8 seconds left off a pass from Elton Brand to give the Clippers an 87-85 lead.

It was tied at 85-85 with 43.1 seconds left, after Pacers All-Star Jermaine O'Neal made one of two free throws.

Things got testy with 3:43 left when the Pacers' frequently suspended forward Ron Artest threw the Clippers' Quentin Richardson to the ground. The two got tied up for a jumpball, then Artest threw him to the ground.

To the boos of Clippers fans, no foul or technical foul was called on Artest. But as the players lined up for the jump ball, the Clippers' Bobby Simmons and O'Neal pushed each other, and each of them received technical fouls.

The no-call on Artest proved to be huge for the Pacers because they won the jump ball, and on their possession, Artest made two free throws to give the Pacers an 82-80 lead with 3:29 to play.

What's becoming known as the Clippers' ``Big Three'' again led them in scoring in regulation. Elton Brand had 24 points and six assists, and Richardson had 21 points and eight rebounds. Corey Maggette added 18 points.

The Clippers were 2-18 against Indiana in their past 20 meetings.

The fourth quarter was tight with numerous lead changes. It was so tight that the Clippers' 78-75 lead with 6:48 left and the Pacers' 72-68 lead with 10:06 to play were each their biggest leads of the final period.

Artest scored 23 points, and O'Neal had 17 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Pacers in regulation.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the Clippers led 68-66, after defense took over and the Clippers outscored Indiana 16-15 in the third quarter.

The Clippers led 52-51 at halftime after recovering from a 10-point deficit in the first quarter. They came out flat, starting the game shooting 0 of 6, committing three turnovers and finding themselves down 11-1.

Indiana shot superbly in the first half, going 8 for 13 from 3-point range. The eight 3-pointers were the Pacers' season high for a half.

After trailing the entire first quarter, the Clippers recovered with a 12-3 run to go up 47-41 with 3:22 left in the half. The six-point lead was their biggest of the half, and it preceded four consecutive 3-point field goals by the Pacers.

Richardson led the Clippers with 17 first-half points. Brand also was key, scoring 16 first-half points, including eight in their key run.

This was the second of back-to-back games for the Clippers. On the first night, they lost at Western Conference-leading Sacramento, then they faced the Eastern Conference-leading Pacers.

--Clippers note: Staples Center sent out a news release, warning fans attending the Clippers-Lakers doubleheader Sunday: The Los Angeles Marathon will close several streets, and Staples urges fans to add 30 to 45 minutes to their drive time.

Joe Stevens, [phone]

joe.stevens(at)presstelegram.com