Clippers Win a One-Sided Game, 115-108 : Johnson Scores 30 to Lead Los Angeles Past Lethargic Mavericks

Motivation to play Saturday night’s somewhat meaningless regular-season game was difficult for both the Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks are preparing for next week’s playoffs, and the Clippers are winding down for nearly six months of vacation.

While Dallas Coach Dick Motta flatly said there was “nothing to play for” Saturday night, Clipper Coach Don Chaney said it would be nice if the Clippers could at least win one of their remaining two games and finish with a better record than last season’s 31-51.

The Clippers (32-49) assured themselves of that Saturday night with a 115-108 victory before a Sports Arena crowd of 9,894, as Marques Johnson scored 30 points.

“Basically, this was a meaningless game for Dallas,” Johnson said. “You could tell by the way they were using players. They weren’t putting a premium on this game.”

The Clippers, on the other hand, did. Last season, the Clippers finished one game ahead of their 1983-84 record, and their win Saturday night puts them one game ahead of last season.

Among the decisions to be made in the off-season is the fate of Coach Don Chaney and General Manager Carl Scheer, both of whom are at the end of their contracts. Guard Derek Smith is the most notable of the Clippers’ four free agents. The others are Rory White, Darnell Valentine and Franklin Edwards.

Chaney, who has benefited greatly from the Clippers’ recent winning streak, met with owner Donald T. Sterling for 10 minutes after the game. Chaney said his job status was not discussed.

“A win is a win, no matter what,” an upbeat Chaney said afterward. “I liked the way the guys responded tonight and I’ll like to see the way they’ll respond tomorrow when the game doesn’t mean anything. I guess it does mean something. It’s another win for us.”

The Clippers have looked better than they did Saturday night, especially since Dallas played without starting forward Sam Perkins (injured toe) and played Mark Aguirre and Rolando Blackman just enough to break a sweat.

The Clippers also received 18 points and 14 rebounds from forward Michael Cage, starting in place of an ill Benoit Benjamin. Kurt Nimphius, moved to center from forward, added 15 points, and Rory White had 13 off the bench.

Clipper Notes Benoit Benjamin, still suffering from the flu, went home an hour before Saturday night’s game. Benjamin is questionable for tonight’s season finale at Phoenix. Benjamin said he plans to return to his hometown of Monroe, La., after the season, but he said he will visit Los Angeles during the summer to work with former Boston Celtic great Bill Russell. Benjamin also will work with Atlanta Hawk assistant Coach Willis Reed, his college coach at Creighton, in Atlanta this summer. . . . Dallas center James Donaldson, traded to the Mavericks from the Clippers in late November for Kurt Nimphius, on making the playoffs: “It feels great. I can’t wait.” . . . Tonight’s game will be on KMPC (710) at 6:30.