Clippers Fall Again to Miami

Sherman Douglas scored 27 points, including a go-ahead layup with 11.9 seconds to play, as the Miami Heat beat the Clippers, 116-113, Tuesday night for their team-record 19th victory.

The Clippers led, 113-112, with 24 seconds left after an 11-1 run sparked by two three-point plays by Charles Smith and a three-point shot and two free throws by Ron Harper.

After a Heat timeout, Douglas spun inside the key for the layup that gave the Heat the lead. He then knocked the ball away from Danny Manning to set up Glen Rice’s basket at the buzzer.

The Heat overcame the absence of Coach Ron Rothstein, who had the flu. Assistant coach Dave Wohl directed the team.

It was Miami’s seventh consecutive victory over the Clippers, who have beaten the Heat only in Miami’s first game, Nov. 5, 1988.

Rice had 24 points for Miami and Kevin Edwards added 21.

Harper led the Clippers with 31 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter that helped bring them from 13 points behind. Smith scored 26 and Manning added 24.