Clippers Get Overtime Victory : Pro basketball: Harper scores eight of his 23 points in the extra period; 126-123 victory at Denver ends a five-game losing streak.

Ron Harper scored eight of his 23 points in overtime, including two three-point shots, to help the Clippers end a five-game losing streak with a 126-123 victory Tuesday night over the stumbling Denver Nuggets.

After Michael Adams, who had 38 points, gave Denver a 113-112 lead on a free throw 15 seconds into overtime, Harper made a three-point basket to put the Clippers ahead for good with 4:26 remaining.

The victory was only the Clippers’ second in their last 12 road games.

Clipper Coach Mike Schuler was impressed with Denver’s perseverance.

“The Nuggets made a couple of threes in the third quarter to get them back in the game, and Adams really pushed the ball at us,” he said. “We’ve done a nice job defensively every time we’ve played Denver.

“They have so many weapons and do so much on offense. I think we do a good job of staying with them.”

Danny Manning, who had 26 points and 12 rebounds, said: “We like to run because we feel we have some mobile big men, but it’s hard to outrun the Nuggets. They are a good transition team.”

One thing that helped the Clippers was their strength on the offensive boards. They got 23 offensive rebounds, which led to some easy baskets.

The Clippers led most of the way, but the Nuggets, who lost for the 14th time in 17 games, rallied from a 111-106 deficit with 2:28 left in the fourth quarter.

Reggie Williams, who scored 20 points, made a three-point basket with 2:21 left. After a free throw by Manning, Adams made another three-point shot to tie the score at 112-112 with 1:36 left in regulation.

Charles Smith, who had 24 points and 14 rebounds, hit a 12-foot jump shot, and Harper made another three-point shot to make it 120-113 with 3:07 remaining in overtime.

Denver pulled to 124-121 when Adams made his fourth three-point shot with 1:22 remaining.

Williams made two free throws for Denver to make it 124-123 with seven seconds remaining, but Harper closed the scoring with two free throws with 4.3 seconds left.

Orlando Woolridge added 18 points for Denver.

“We got off to a decent start in overtime,” Denver Coach Paul Westhead said. “But they hit some tough shots. Harper’s three-pointers hurt us.”

Still, the Nuggets stayed close.

“We had our opportunities in overtime,” Adams said. “But we fell short.

“We kept fighting back, but time was not on our side. Four seconds isn’t much time to do anything.”