Clippers Lose to Seattle, 115-112; Ellis Scores 39 and Key Basket

Dale Ellis scored 10 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter, including a go-ahead layin with 41 seconds left, as the Seattle SuperSonics beat the Clippers, 115-112, Thursday night.

Ellis, who scored 31 points in the SuperSonics’ 101-96 win over Utah Tuesday night, broke a 109-109 tie with his layup on a feed from Nate McMillan. Xavier McDaniel’s dunk with 21 seconds remaining put Seattle ahead, 113-109.

The Clippers, who got a career-high 24 points from Eric White off the bench and 21 from starter Quintin Dailey, closed to 113-112 on a three-point shot by Ennis Whatley. But free throws by Derrick McKey and John Lucas, and a steal by Sedale Threatt closed them out in the final 17 seconds, denying the Clippers their fourth win in six tries.

It was their third straight loss by six or fewer points.

The Clippers (14-52) led, 107-105, with 1:55 left on a Charles Smith free throw. Threatt’s two free throws tied the game with 1:48 remaining, and the game was tied again before Ellis’ go-ahead basket.

The Clippers outscored the SuperSonics, 12-6, in the final 3 1/2 minutes of the third quarter and took a 91-86 lead. White, who came in averaging four points a game, scored six in that run and 10 in the period.