NO EASY WIN FOR CLIPS CLIPPERS 103, TORONTO 100.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

As odd as it may sound to anyone who can't forget the team's shaky past, the Clippers walked into a game Wednesday night in which they were not only expected to win, but win with ease.

Toronto came into Staples Center having lost 10 of 11 and on the second end of back-to-back games, while the Clippers had won eight of 10. But the Raptors didn't play the role of patsy.

Fortunately for the Clippers, they hunkered down on defense, got several clutch baskets and escaped with a 103-100 victory in front of 15,927 at Staples Center.

``This is definitely the kind of game we lose last year,'' said the Clippers' Elton Brand, who had 21 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks. ``We didn't take them for granted. They have a lot of offensive firepower. We knew that coming in, but last year, of course, we definitely lose a close, tight game like this.''

Though Sam Cassell came up big with 10 consecutive points midway through the fourth quarter, the Clippers also needed several defensive stops.

No stop proved to be greater than when the Raptors' Morris Peterson missed a 3-point shot with 7.9 seconds left with the Raptors down 100-99. Corey Maggette, who scored a game-high 30 points, then made three of four free throws, and Toronto's Mike James made one to account for the final score.

The Clippers did not lead until Brand made a 17-foot jump shot with 2:18 left to go up 98-96. Toronto had led by as many as 12 points in the first half and went up 95-88 with 6:12 left.

But that's when the Clippers' defense went into overdrive, and Toronto's next field goal came with 1:26 left when they went up 99-98. The Clippers came right back as Chris Kaman answered with a short hook shot with 1:12 to play.

Although Brand said his team didn't take Toronto for granted, that wasn't everybody's line.

``The biggest thing was that we underestimated a team, and I think that their record doesn't indicate how good they are,'' said Maggette, who scored a game-high 30 points. ``They're a tough team. They can make shots and get in there and rebounding.''

In the first half, Toronto pounded the boards. In the first quarter alone, the Raptors had seven offensive rebounds to the Clippers' zero. By the end of the game, the Clippers recovered to tie the Raptors with 39 rebounds, but Toronto had a 15-4 edge with offensive rebounds.

Brand may be regarded as one of the most blue-collar players in the league, always among the league leaders in rebounding. But team rebounding was a problem Wednesday as Brand accounted for one third of the Clippers' rebounds.

``If I have to say we have an Achilles' heel, that's it right now - boxing out and getting those defensive rebounds,'' Brand said. ``Once we get that fixed, we could compete with any team.''

Joe Stevens, [phone]

joe.stevens(at)presstelegram.com

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Photo:

The Clippers' Elton Brand cuts to the basket during Wednesday night's game against Toronto.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer