Nixon’s Long Shot Helps Clippers Win, 105-104

Clipper guard Norm Nixon didn’t even blink an eye, his expression remaining as intense as ever.

Nixon, it seems, fully expects to make every 45-foot shot he attempts, even if those attempts come perhaps only once every six months.

All around him, though, there were expressions of amazement and squeals of excitement. With 4:12 left in Friday night’s game against the Sacramento Kings, Nixon’s desperation heave released just before the 24-second clock expired banked squarely off the backboard and into the basket.

It turned out that the Clippers needed that three-point basket and more to hold off the Kings and post a 105-104 win before 7,717 at the Sports Arena, many of whom will no doubt remember Nixon’s shot a lot longer than the final score.

Afterward, Nixon’s expression also was one of amazement. The first thing he said is that he wanted to see the shot on videotape.

“Now that the game’s over, I’m cracking up,” Nixon said. “I wasn’t smiling because we were only up four points with plenty of time left. . . . Those are like two times in a lifetime shots, and we needed it.”

Nixon’s miracle shot, which came after he gathered an errant Benoit Benjamin pass two feet in front of the half-court line, gave the Clippers a 99-95 lead with 4:12 left. Another Nixon basket, this one a conventional 18-foot jumper, with 47 seconds left gave the Clippers a 105-102 lead, but there was still plenty of time for the Kings to mount a charge.

After Cedric Maxwell missed an open layup with 17 seconds left, the Kings set up for a potential game-tying three-point shot attempt. Reggie Theus’ shot missed, but center LaSalle Thompson got the rebound and scored to cut the Clippers’ lead to 105-104 with six seconds left.

Clipper guard Darnell Valentine was fouled with four seconds left, but he missed both shots, giving Sacramento another chance to win it with two seconds left. Theus’ desperation shot from the left corner missed, meaning the Clippers had won and could fully enjoy Nixon’s incredible basket.

Some observations:

From Benjamin, who had a splendid night with 26 points, 14 rebounds and 6 blocked shots: “Incredible. I was watching it and watching it and, damn, it went in. That shot ought to make the highlight film, for sure.”

From Clipper Coach Don Chaney, who said his team still has a chance to make the playoffs even though the Clippers are five games behind Sacramento for the last Western Conference spot with 15 games to play: “I had an inner feeling that shot was going in. It had too many people praying for it not to. That was our specialty play. It looked like Norman’s shot was kind of a jai-alai sling.”

Nixon finished with 19 points, including two other three-point baskets that were not of the sling-shot variety. Marques Johnson added 18 points and 7 rebounds.

The Kings were led by Eddie Johnson’s 29 points off the bench. Terry Tyler had 17 points and Mark Olberding 15.

Clipper Notes

The Clippers play tonight at Houston. The game will be televised live at 5:30 on Channel 5. . . . Houston will be without center Akeem Olajuwon (strained knee ligaments) and point guard John Lucas, who was waived by the Rockets on Friday after testing positive for cocaine use. Although this was only Lucas’ second offense under the NBA’s drug policy, he reportedly had a clause in his contract that he could be released if it was proven he had used drugs. Lucas reportedly will enter a drug rehabilitation center. . . . Injury update: Clipper guard Junior Bridgeman, who tore a ligament in his right hand Feb. 23, will wear a cast for another week and a half. Most likely, Bridgeman will be lost for the season.