Cassell Typically Ends a Winner in Game 7s

This is why the Clippers acquired Sam Cassell, who loves these spotlight moments.

The Clippers face the Phoenix Suns tonight in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals at US Airways Center, and the veteran point guard is in a familiar position.

Cassell said he’s determined to help the Clippers take another significant step.

“We’re not going to panic, I know that,” Cassell said. “We’ve just got to relax, go out there and do what we need to do on defense and play our game. I know what my job is for this basketball team, and you better believe I’m going to do it.”

His teams are 5-1 in previous Game 7s in which he has played. Cassell, among the NBA’s top clutch shooters, has averaged 18.8 points and 6.8 assists in the decisive games, shooting 50.9% from the field and 97.2% from the free-throw line.

“Since I was a rookie, I was groomed to play in big games and make shots down the stretch,” Cassell said. “I don’t mind being a goat. If I miss it, you guys [reporters] can write what you want about me.

“A lot of guys don’t like these games. A lot of guys don’t like these situations. For me, it doesn’t get any better. This is where you want to be.”

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The Suns have significantly more Game 7 experience than the Clippers.

The whole team went through the process 16 days ago in a 121-90 victory over the Lakers, and many Suns veterans have other Game 7 experience. Steve Nash and Raja Bell were on the 2003 Dallas Mavericks, the last team to win two Game 7s in the same year.

Cassell is the only member of the Clippers to have played in a Game 7, but the Suns brushed aside the experience edge they hold.

“I wouldn’t think Elton Brand has a problem with big games,” Suns Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “I know [Cuttino] Mobley’s been in big games and Cassell’s been in big, big games. I would think the ball is going to go in the hands of people that have played big moments. I don’t see [experience] as a factor.”

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Three days between games won’t benefit only Nash, who is working through back, hamstring and ankle issues.

Six Suns have logged 1,135 of the 1,250 minutes in this series, an astounding statistic even at a time of year where rotations typically are shortened.

The Suns, who had played 13 games in 25 days, hope the rest served them well.

“I think it’s helped everybody’s energy, especially Tim Thomas, Boris Diaw,” D’Antoni said. “I wouldn’t put Steve at the top of the list. I’d put him right there with the other guys. With our energy level, it’s going to be nice. Does that translate into a win? We’ll see.”

Said Nash: “I’ve been working a lot at trying to get some of my ailments right, and I feel like we made some improvement.”

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If a season-long trend holds true, the Suns will win tonight.

The Suns and Clippers have alternated victories in the 10 games they played this season, including six in the playoffs. The regular-season victory line went Suns-Clippers-Suns-Clippers.

The Suns won Game 1 of this round and, most recently, the Clippers took Game 6.

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D’Antoni said it was “a longshot” that forward-center Kurt Thomas would play tonight. Thomas has been out since February because of a stress fracture in his right foot, although he has practiced with the team the last couple of days.