L.A. WIN BRINGS NEW LOW DEFENSIVE EFFORT FRANCHISE'S BEST.

Byline: JOE STEVENS

Staff Writer

The Clippers could have wallowed in their injuries and given up because both of their point guards -- Shaun Livingston and Sam Cassell -- were out.

But instead of folding without an experienced floor leader, the Clippers turned in one of their best defensive performances of the season and blew out the Indiana Pacers 87-64 Saturday night at Staples Center.

It was not only the best defensive performance of the season, but in franchise history, supplanting the 65 the team held Seattle to on Nov. 18, 1990.

"That's a great record for us, especially at this time in season," Elton Brand said. "Guys who log in a lot of minutes got to rest. And if we can put that type of intensity and defensive effort into a full game, we're going to be hard to beat."

The Clippers led by 19 points in the third quarter and by as many as 33 in the fourth quarter, and handed the Pacers their fifth consecutive loss.

Indiana was held to 35.7 percent shooting, and in a season in which everything seems unpredictable, the Clippers had a surprisingly easy victory with Daniel Ewing and Will Conroy running the offense.

"We were fortunate to catch this team on a back-to-back night, coming in from Phoenix (Friday) night," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "But the schedule is what it is, and I won't take anything from what our guys accomplished. All the way around, our coverages were good. Our double teams and rotations were excellent."

At times the Clippers look destined to go nowhere, but not Saturday. Not only did they have the blowout win, but they moved into the seventh playoff spot in the Western Conference, passing Denver by percentage points. Both teams are one game under .500.

Corey Maggette scored 20 points with an efficient statistical line -- 5-of-6 shooting from the field and 10 of 10 from the free-throw line.

Elton Brand had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Chris Kaman added 16 points and seven rebounds.

The Clippers led 43-30 at halftime and held the Pacers to 35.3percent shooting in the half. Whether it was the Clippers' smothering defense or inept play by the Pacers is up for debate, but either way, the 30 points were a season low in a half for a Clippers' opponent.

Jermaine O'Neal had a horrible shooting night, going 3 of 13 (.231) from the field for nine points. Jamaal Tinsley led the Pacers with 16 points, but hardly exploited the Clippers' lack of depth at point guard.

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The Pacers' Mike Dunleavy Jr. collides with his father, Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy Sr., on Saturday at Staples Center.

Harry How/Getty Images