Clippers Win on Road for Third Time, 110-96

Mike Woodson scored a season-high 37 points as the Clippers beat the San Antonio Spurs, 110-96, Friday night at HemisFair Arena.

Los Angeles’ third road victory in 25 tries this season improved the team’s overall record to 8-40. San Antonio dropped to 18-32.

“We’ve been struggling and playing catch-up all year,” Woodson said. “But we got our confidence going early tonight. The credit should go to everyone.”

Clipper Coach Don Chaney said: “This is probably the best game we’ve played all season. We stayed with our game plan.”

Said Spur Coach Bob Weiss: “We deserved to lose tonight. We did not react well to anything defensively. They tried to give it back with their turnovers, but we just ‘outturnovered’ them tonight.”

San Antonio came within a basket at 52-50 early in the third quarter before Clipper center Benoit Benjamin slammed in a shot followed by a three-pointer by Woodson to put Los Angeles ahead, 57-50. The Clippers led, 83-71, by the end of the period.

Los Angeles prevented the Spurs from getting any closer than six points in the final period.

Clipper forward Kenny Fields had 20 points, and San Antonio was led by Alvin Robertson’s 29.

Los Angeles opened the game with 10 consecutive points. Woodson scored 9 of the Clippers’ first 19 en route to a 20-point first half.

The Spurs cut the margin to 22-20 before turning cold once again and ended the first period trailing, 32-26.

The Clippers connected on 58.3% from the field on the night. San Antonio shot 38.2%.