Clippers Lose to Sonics in Overtime, 114-112

Forward Tom Chambers of the Seattle SuperSonics broke the Clippers’ hearts.

Chambers, an ex-Clipper, tipped in a missed shot by teammate Dale Ellis with three seconds left in overtime to lead the SuperSonics to a 114-112 win Saturday night at the Sports Arena.

Ellis exploded for 41 points as Seattle won its third straight, and Chambers added 30.

The Clippers tied the score at 112-112 with seven seconds remaining in the extra period when guard Larry Drew buried a three-pointer.

However, the Sonics called time to set up a play, and Chambers tapped in the Ellis miss for the win.

Drew missed a desperation shot at the buzzer.

The score was tied at 100-100 at the end of regulation after Michael Cage of the Clippers sank a 17-foot jumper at the buzzer.

Cage scored 17 points, and Quintin Dailey had a season-high 24 for Los Angeles. Center Benoit Benjamin added 21 points.

Trailing 112-106 after Ellis completed a three-point play with 1:22 left, the Clippers scored six straight points as guard Mike Woodson sank a three-point shot from the right side with 46 seconds remaining followed by Drew’s three-pointer.

It looked as if Seattle would win in regulation after Ellis gave the SuperSonics a 100-98 lead when he hit a shot from the left corner with 16 seconds left.

The Clippers had led, 98-94, but Seattle scored six consecutive points to take control.

With the score tied at 98-98, Los Angeles botched a chance to take the lead when Benjamin was called for an offensive foul after he shoved center Alton Lister.

The Clippers called time after Ellis put the Sonics ahead on the ensuing possession, and Coach Gene Shue blistered Benjamin for the offensive foul after he had set up a play to try to tie the game.

However, the play broke down when the SuperSonics trapped Drew, and Cage was the final option as he sank a 17-footer.

The Clippers, who trailed by as much as 17 points in the first half, scored 16 consecutive points during a 5-minute, 13-second stretch in the third period to take a 78-69 lead.

Seattle, which didn’t score for six minutes in the third quarter, scored 10 straight, including 6 at the end of the third quarter.

Chambers broke the drought when he sank two free throws with 1:35 left in the third quarter. Sam Vincent followed with a layup and Olden Polynice ended the quarter with a hook in the key as the SuperSonics sliced the Clipper lead to 78-75 going into the final quarter.

Chambers opened the final quarter with a dunk and Kevin Williams hit a jumper before Shue called time less than a minute into the quarter.

Xavier McDaniel, the SuperSonics’ star forward, sat out the game with a swollen right knee. McDaniel hyper-extended his knee when he collided with teammate Clemon Johnson Friday night in Seattle’s 124-105 win over Utah.

McDaniel, who had 26 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals against the Jazz, was averaging 23.3 points, second on the team behind Ellis.

The SuperSonics didn’t miss McDaniel as they took a 60-53 lead at the break.

Ellis had 17 points in the first half and Chambers added 13.

Russ Schoene, who started in place of McDaniel, got the Sonics off to a fast start, scoring 8 points in the first quarter as Seattle took an 11-point lead (35-24) after the opening 12 minutes. Chambers led the SuperSonics with 9 points and Ellis added 8 in the first quarter. Seattle was 11-11 at the free-throw line in the first quarter

However, Dailey came off the bench to score 16 points in 16 minutes as the Clippers got back into it in the first half. Dailey had 10 points in the second quarter as the Clippers outscored Seattle, 29-25.

Benjamin also had a good first half, scoring 10 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. He was the only Clipper starter who played well in the first quarter getting 6 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.

Cage scored 9 points in the third quarter as Los Angeles outscored Seattle, 25-15. Rookie Ken Norman and Benjamin added five points apiece for the Clippers, who shot 50% in the quarter. The Clippers, who let the SuperSonics have open shots in the first half, also tightened up their defense in the third quarter as the Sonics shot 33% (6-18) from the floor.

Clipper Notes

The Clippers play the Dallas Mavericks Monday night at the Sports Arena. . . . Forward Reggie Williams, who is out with a strained left knee, was on crutches. Williams, who is out for two to three weeks, had a noticeable limp and he was wearing a brace.