Clippers, Hoping Third Try Is Charm, Seek First Win Against Suns Tonight at Phoenix

The Los Angeles Clippers will take their third crack at beating the Phoenix Suns tonight when they visit Phoenix’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum for the first time this season.

The Clippers, who lost to the Suns twice in Los Angeles, 114-92, on Dec. 14 and, 118-108, on Jan. 29, have more than just a revenge interest going into this game. Phoenix currently holds the eighth, and last, playoff spot in the Western Conference of the National Basketball Assn., and the Clippers are next in line, two games behind the Suns. The Clippers have lost three of their last four games, including a 156-121 debacle Saturday night at Portland that was their largest point yield in six years. They have lost six games by 30 or more points and two by 40 or more, and they carry the dubious distinction of being last in the league in defense, allowing an average of 116.4 points a game.

Power forward Michael Cage dislocated the middle finger on his right hand in the Jan. 29 game against Phoenix and won’t play against the Suns tonight.

Guard Derek Smith also remains out with a knee injury, and his place on the roster has been taken by 6-10 Jeff Cross, recently signed out of the Continental Basketball Assn. to a 10-day contract. Guard Norm Nixon bruised his right hip in practice Wednesday and guard Lancaster Gordon turned his ankle, but both are expected to play against the Suns.