ROUT PUTS CLIPS ON WATCH EASY WIN LETS L.A. MONITOR WEST FOES.

Byline: RICH HAMMOND 

Staff Writer

The action inside Staples Center remained intense throughout the night, but the cluster of abbreviations that flashed on the out-of-town scoreboard -- GS, LAL, NOK -- contained just as much drama.

As the Clippers attempted to maintain a slim lead for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, their closest pursuers were in action on a Friday evening that held significant postseason implications.

"Sometimes you can't help but look up during the game," Elton Brand said after the Clippers kept pace in the playoff race with an easy 107-89 victory over the shorthanded Portland Trail Blazers.

The Clippers took care of business, as Cuttino Mobley totaled 22 points, six rebounds and seven assists, but the Clippers still don't have much breathing room with just five days left in the regular season.

Victories by the Clippers and Golden State and losses by the Lakers and New Orleans/Oklahoma City didn't change much in the standings. The Clippers and Warriors remain in a virtual tie for eighth place (the Clippers hold the tiebreaker), a half- game behind the Lakers and two games ahead of the Hornets. The Clippers, Warriors and Hornets each have three games left; the Lakers two.

"It's fun," Mobley said. "Golden State is playing well but we just have to worry about ourselves. We just have to win out. If we win, everything else will handle itself."

Brand totaled 20 points and seven rebounds and Corey Maggette and Chris Kaman each added 17 points. Portland didn't provide much resistance to the Clippers, who built a 15-point second-quarter lead and didn't suffer any letdown 24 hours after a huge comeback victory over the Lakers.

While the Clippers, particularly Maggette, attacked the basket early and often, the Blazers settled for hanging around the perimeter and drew only six free throws in the first half. The Clippers maintained a slim lead for much of the first half but used a 14-6 run to open a 48-33 lead late in the second quarter.

Brandon Roy, who finished with 18 points, kept the Blazers within striking distance for a while, but the Clippers maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half and led by as many as 27 points.

"Now we get ready for Sacramento," coach Mike Dunleavy said of Sunday's opponent. "The bottom line is we can't rely on anybody else to do our business for us. We have to win and if we do, then we don't have to worry about anyone else."

It hasn't been easy. The Clippers were playing their fourth game in five nights and also close the season next week with games on consecutive nights against Phoenix and New Orleans/Oklahoma City.

Dunleavy was prepared to give his starters big minutes Friday, but when the Clippers took a 22-point lead into the fourth quarter, they were able to go into cruise control. The Clippers closed the third quarter with a 16-6 run, capped by a driving dunk by Mobley that gave them a 80-58 lead heading into the final period.

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The Clippers' Elton Brand squares off against Portland's Jamaal Magloire on Friday at Staples Center.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer