Clippers Falter at Finish and Lose to Trail Blazers

The Clippers blew a 13-point second-quarter lead and lost to the Portland Trail Blazers, 104-95, in an exhibition game Wednesday night before 9,552 at the Sports Arena.

The Clippers, 2-4 in the exhibition season, were held without a field goal the final 1:47, their only points in that time coming on two free throws by Charles Smith with 46 seconds remaining. Portland is 4-2.

Smith had 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers, both game highs. Ken Norman added 19.

Kevin Duckworth led the Trail Blazers with 22 points.

The Clippers shot 50% from the field (35 of 70) but hurt themselves at the free-throw line, where they made 25 of 44 (56.8%).

The game included six technical fouls, including Portland Coach Rick Adelman being ejected with 2:24 to play in the first half for arguing a flagrant foul call.

The Clippers play at Houston Friday night.

Clipper Notes

Ken Norman has switched from uniform No. 33, which he has worn for four seasons, to No. 3, mainly in hopes that “this will give me a new attitude” after a disappointing 1989-90. It will now be up to Jay Edwards, who remains on the suspended list after failing a drug test last season, to pick a new number. . . . Greg Butler, signed by the Clippers as a free agent just before training camp, stands a good chance to make the team with Coach Mike Schuler’s tentative plans to keep three centers. . . . Portland’s Mark Bryant has been fined $5,000 and suspended without pay for the first game by the league for a fight in an exhibition game against Sacramento. The NBA said Bryant initiated the incident by elbowing Marty Conlon of the Kings in the back of the head and throwing punches.