Advertisement

Clippers Lose Lead, Another Game : Pro basketball: Skiles leads Orlando comeback in 89-86 victory.

Share
From Associated Press

After beginning a trip with high hopes and some success, the Clippers’ long week’s journey into oblivion had another futile stop Wednesday. That involved blowing an eight-point lead to the Orlando Magic, whose Scott Skiles scored eight of his 17 points in the final five minutes in an 89-86 victory.

The trip had followed a string of four victories in five games and added a victory at Minnesota before winding into losses at Auburn Hills, Mich., Miami and Orlando.

“Our team had chances to definitely put them away in the fourth quarter and we didn’t take them--missing free throws and easy shots,” said Ron Harper, who made only eight of 26 shots in scoring 23 points. “We just didn’t play a very good ballgame.”

Advertisement

His three-point shot with one second left bounced off the rim.

Skiles’ offensive outburst keyed a 16-5 stretch run that erased an 81-73 lead and enabled the Magic to halt a three-game losing streak.

Greg Kite began Orlando’s comeback with two free throws with 5:14 left. Skiles scored six of the Magic’s next eight points and then threaded a pass to Dennis Scott, whose layup finished a fast break and made it 85-85 with 1:28 to go.

Jeff Turner’s 20-foot jump shot broke the tie, and Skiles’ steal and driving layup put Orlando up by four points. Danny Manning’s free throw with 37 seconds left was the only point the Clippers scored in the last 3:20.

Scott scored 18 points for the Magic, which won despite shooting only 38% from the field in the second half. Nick Anderson added 16 for Orlando.

Manning finished with 22 points and Charles Smith had 17 for the Clippers.

They overcame 23% shooting in the third quarter (five for 22) with a 20-7 surge to start the final quarter.

Harper fueled the move with eight points, but Manning was the only offense the Clippers had down the stretch. He scored their last nine points, beginning with two free throws for a 79-73 lead.

Advertisement

The two teams combined for 36 turnovers, and the Clippers shot 36.8% (32 for 87) compared to the Magic’s 41.8% (33 for 79). Skiles, who played the entire game, had 14 assists.

“It was an ugly game,” Skiles said. “If we lose, everyone’s going to ask: ‘Why didn’t you make your shots? Why didn’t you do this or that on the offensive end? Now it’s not as important.”

Advertisement