Still Breathing, Clippers Get Overtime Victory : They Hold Off Warriors, 128-126, Despite Career-High 47 Points by Mullin

Don Casey checked his pulse and blood pressure and realized these games are not good for his health.

Then he checked the scoreboard and realized maybe they’re not so bad after all, especially for his future as Clipper coach.

He’ll take poor health and a job any day.

“It was like a cardiovascular shot,” Casey said of Gary Grant’s twisting layup in the lane with six seconds remaining in overtime that gave the Clippers a 128-126 win over the Golden State Warriors Thursday night before 7,166 fans at the Sports Arena. “These kids will give you a heart attack. They’ll make you hyperventilate.”

But the Clippers, who again beat a playoff-bound team, snapping a three-game losing streak, will also make you happy.

Grant scored 31 points; Benoit Benjamin had 19 points and 21 rebounds; Ken Norman got 28 points and 10 rebounds, and four other Clippers scored in double figures.

The Clippers, who came into the game losers of three straight for the first time since early February, got a jump start. Three times.

Runs of 11-2 to open the night, 9-2 to start the second quarter and 10-0 at the outset of the final 12-minute period kept them in it against the Warriors, who beat them in their previous five meetings this season.

Then, from 118-118 at the end of regulation, the Clippers outscored the Warriors, 10-8, in the five-minute overtime. They escaped a second extra period when Warrior Winston Garland’s pass to a wide-open Otis Smith on the right baseline went through Smith’s hands, and a career-high 47 points by Chris Mullin were wasted.

The quick start to the fourth quarter was later pushed to 15-6, which included a Benjamin free throw after Warrior Coach Don Nelson was banished for a second technical foul. That point was followed by a pair of free throws by Charles Smith that put the Clippers ahead, 105-96, with 7:28 left.

Norman, who averaged 28.4 points and 13.4 rebounds in the first five meetings against the Warriors, sent the game into overtime by hitting a jumper from the right side with eight seconds remaining, after Quintin Dailey stole the inbounds pass from Rod Higgins. That made it 118-118, and Golden State’s chance to win it in regulation failed when Grant blocked Winston Garland’s shot with two seconds left.

The Warriors had one stretch in the second half of eight straight field goals without a miss.

Mullin, who scored 25 in the first half on 8-of-11 shooting, scored three of the baskets in the run. Still, the Warriors trailed, 77-76, with 6:08 remaining in the third quarter.

It was 90-90 going into the final 12 minutes, Mullin having scored 35 for Golden State.

Clipper Notes

Joe Wolf practiced Wednesday for the first time since suffering a strained right elbow March 31. He appeared in good condition but had some swelling Thursday and did not dress for the seventh straight game. “I think yesterday was a good indication he wants to come back (before the end of the season),” Coach Don Casey said. Casey said he will probably send congratulations to Steve Fisher, the University of Michigan coach recently elevated to permanent status. The two do not know each other, but “I’m all for interim coaches doing well,” Casey said, smiling. The Clipper coach, of course, is still waiting for word on his fate.

Ralph Sampson has started three of the last four games, giving the impression that Warrior Coach Don Nelson is moving away from his successful short lineup. But Sampson, who has started only eight times since returning from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Dec. 30, averaged only 16.7 minutes in the three starts--below his 17.5 average for the season going into the game. . . . The Clippers will play the Lakers Saturday night at the Sports Arena.

The Clippers were trying to call a timeout as Gary Grant drove for the game-winning basket. “It’s a fine for not paying attention,” Casey said, “but I’ll take him out to dinner with the fine.” . . . The 47 points by Chris Mullin were the most anyone has scored against the Clippers this season, but the total was not the all-time opponent high. Dominique Wilkins and Moses Malone both have had games of 53 points.