STREAK IS ALIVE, LONGEST SINCE '95 CLIPPERS BEAT PACERS FOR FIFTH VICTORY IN A ROW CLIPPERS 88, INDIANA 76.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

The Clippers could hear that three of their past five victories have come against last-place teams. Or they might hear that their latest win came against a team that had only eight players available.

Regardless of any possible attempt at a negative spin, one fact remains: The Clippers have their first five-game winning streak since November 1995.

The Clippers were often sluggish and far from their best, but they still defeated the depleted Indiana Pacers 88-76 in front of 13,587 as Staples Center on Wednesday night.

Bobby Simmons continued the start of a breakout season with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. He scored most of his points on long jump shots and was 9 of 14 from the field.

``Bobby has been playing so well,'' Maggette said. ``He has been the focal point of our team right now, the way he's shooting the ball, the way he's playing defense. He's making our team so much better, and the coach knows it.''

Elton Brand added 27 points and five rebounds, and Corey Maggette returned after missing two games with a sprained left ankle to contribute 17 points and nine rebounds.

The Clippers (10-6) are practically as hot as they have ever been since moving to Los Angeles in 1984.

They took a 64-58 lead in the fourth quarter Wednesday and led 70-60 with 8:07 left, but the Pacers refused to go away.

It wasn't until Marko Jaric made a 3-pointer with 3:07 to play that the Clippers had significant breathing room. Jaric's shot put the Clippers ahead 77-67 less than a minute after a 3-pointer by Fred Jones had pulled Indiana within five points.

The Clippers then pulled away in the final three minutes. Eddie Gill scored 21 points to lead Indiana (10-5), and Jones added 19. James Jones had 15 points and seven rebounds for the Pacers, who finished 45.5 percent (10 of 22) from 3-point range.

Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy tried something new to begin the second half by starting Quinton Ross in place of Chris Wilcox. The move put 6-foot-6 Simmons at power forward.

The small, speedy lineup worked well to start the second half as the Clippers took a 57-46 lead with 6:17 left in the third quarter. The new lineup also gave Brand more space close to the basket, and he scored 19 second-half points.

Brand's performance helped the Clippers jump over the Lakers (9-7) in the Pacific Division. The rare sight of the Clippers above the Lakers in the standings induced questions, wondering if the Clippers were now the team to beat in Los Angeles.

``I don't even know what the Lakers' record is right now,'' Maggette said. ``I think my concentration, I think everyone's concentration is on us. If we take care of business here, everything will take care of itself.''

--Notes: Jim Raiche, a 42-year-old from Tujunga, made a halfcourt shot before the start of the fourth quarter during a Clippers promotion. The branch manager for a mortgage company swished the shot and won a 2005 Dodge Magnum. ... Kerry Kittles was out again Wednesday. An MRI revealed a bone bruise in his right knee. Apparently, the Clippers believe Kittles could be available within five games because they have not placed him on the injured list.

Joe Stevens, [phone]

joe.stevens(at)presstelegram.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) The Clippers' Chris Wilcox, center, dunks over David Harrison (13) and James Jones.

(2) Indiana's Britton Johnsen soars past Clippers forward Elton Brand on his way to the basket during the first half of Wednesday night's game at Staples Center.

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

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