Chaney Has No Defense for Latest Clipper Loss : Aguirre, Perkins Can’t Be Stopped in Middle, Lead Dallas to a 124-115 Victory

A number of props were at Coach Don Chaney’s disposal in the Clipper locker room Saturday night had he felt compelled to vent his anger at his team’s latest loss.

But knocking over water bottles or scattering towels on the floor, usually not Chaney’s style, wasn’t the reaction guard Norm Nixon expected from Chaney after the Clippers’ 124-115 defeat by the Dallas Mavericks, the club’s fourth straight setback and 12th in its last 13 games.

Nixon figured it would be something more violent.

“He probably wanted to slam a couple of us against the wall,” Nixon said. “Maybe that’s what it takes with us, what we need.”

Although there was no body slamming from the outwardly upset Chaney afterward, he did strongly convey his feelings about the Clippers’ lack of defensive effort against the Mavericks. Not all the Clippers were culprits, but there were enough to assure another loss.

There are many ways the Clippers can lose games, but lack of defensive effort is most irksome to Chaney, who specialized in defense during his playing days with the Boston Celtics. “We could think up a million excuses, but our defense is just not cutting it,” Chaney said. “We were not alert. We gave up too many open shots, and we will not win playing like this. It’s a weakness in intensity. Our eyes light up bright on the offensive end. Tonight, we wanted to get the ball out of the net instead of off the boards.”

It was Maverick forward Mark Aguirre and center Sam Perkins who had the Clippers scurrying to retrieve the ball from the net.

Aguirre, ranked 11th in the NBA in scoring with a 22.4 average, scored 35 points off every Clipper forward on the roster. He made 15 of 25 shots, setting the tone early by scoring 14 points in the first quarter.

Perkins, starting at center over former Clipper James Donaldson, had a career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds, including a 16-point outburst in the third quarter against the pitifully weak defense of Clipper center Benoit Benjamin and forward Michael Cage.

Nixon led the Clippers with 24 points, Cedric Maxwell added 18, and Marques Johnson and Junior Bridgeman each scored 16.

“Aguirre is going to get his points,” Chaney said. “But for Sam Perkins being 6-10 and putting the ball on the floor and driving to the hoop, that’s not acceptable. I don’t want to hear any excuses for that.”

Actually, there once again were a number of excuses to fall back on. It was the Clippers’ fourth game in five nights, and this is still a team in transition after the return of Nixon and the Donaldson-for-Kurt Nimphius trade.

“But I don’t want to hear any of that,” Chaney said.

In accordance with Chaney’s request, no excuses were uttered from Clipper players. There was only concern about the team’s growing losing streak.

Despite the inability of Benjamin and Cage to stop Perkins in the third quarter--Nimphius, the starting center was on the bench with five fouls--Nixon said it was a team lack of effort.

“A few people played well at times individually,” said Nixon, who played well in his first start. “But collectively, none of us did it. There are only two constants in this game--effort and defense. We didn’t have it.”

Added Johnson: “It’s strictly a lack of effort. (Chaney’s) point is that if we had played better defense, we might have come up better at the end, maybe win the game.”

Certainly, the Clippers would have remained close because they played well offensively, commited only 14 turnovers and outrebounded Dallas, 53-46.

But when Perkins took advantage of the Clippers’ lazy defense in the third quarter, giving Dallas as much as a 15-point lead. Nimphius was on the bench for most of Perkins’ offensive assault, and Chaney pulled Benjamin for the final 4:30 of the quarter and played without a center.

Chaney said Saturday he is thinking about acquiring a third center to help out, presumably one that specializes in defense.

“Right now, it’s just talk,” Chaney said. “You just can’t want something like that without working out a way to get it.”

Clipper Notes

Clipper forward Rory White was elbowed on the forehead by James Donaldson in the third quarter and received a deep cut. It required eight stitches . . . Donaldson, who reached double figures in rebounds his first two games with Dallas, was held to 2 rebounds and 6 points in 23 minutes against his old team. Kurt Nimphius fared better, getting all 13 points and 6 rebounds in the first half. Donaldson said he’s very pleased in his new situation. “It was a horrendous trade for the Clippers,” he said. “I looked at Benoit (Benjamin) out there, and he seemed like he didn’t even want to play.” . . . Nimphius received a standing ovation from Dallas fans after fouling out in the fourth quarter. One fan yelled: “Why didn’t you play this well for us (Dallas)?” . . . The Clippers shot 17% in the third quarter, a season low for a quarter.