No Gesture of Kindness by Clippers : Pro basketball: They welcome Benjamin back with a 109-90 victory over the SuperSonics.

Benoit Benjamin, who never got a chance to officially say goodby to Clipper fans, gave his own special hello upon returning to the Sports Arena Friday night, a gesture that was far more inflammatory than any of his play.

A fist to the crowd, but no punch behind it for his former teammates: eight points, five rebounds and two blocked shots in 25 minutes as the Clippers beat the Seattle SuperSonics, 109-90, to hold off postseason elimination for at least another couple of days and guarantee their first winning record at home since 1985-86.

Winners of six of seven and nine of 13, the Clippers improved to 29-45. The playoffs remain a huge longshot, Seattle’s magic number to eliminate them holding at three, but there’s a very good chance to break the Los Angeles Clipper record of 32 victories. Two games with Sacramento and one each with Denver and Orlando remain.

“I think about it,” said Olden Polynice, who came back after a poor performance against his old team Feb. 26 in Seattle to get 21 points, his high as a Clipper, 11 rebounds and two blocks. “I don’t like those records because they’re too negative.”

Added Ken Norman, who had 20 points on eight-of-11 shooting: “We’re aware of some of those things. But the main thing we’re concerned with is that we’re still playing for a playoff spot.”

Seattle, which saw its three-game winning streak end, dropped to 35-38 as the starting lineup produced only 43 points. Nineteen came from Eddie Johnson, but Shawn Kemp, Benjamin and Sedale Threatt added only eight each, while Gary Payton was held without a point or assist in 19 minutes.

Benjamin was asked before the game what he missed about Los Angeles.

“The weather,” he said without hesitation. “That’s about it. I definitely don’t miss the organization.”

And of the reaction he expected from fans?

“I don’t know and I don’t care,” he said.

The not caring didn’t last long. Greeted with a chorus of boos during introductions, he jogged from the bench to the court and made an obscene gesture to the fans.

Moments later, a fan in the fourth row held up a sign: “THANKS BEN . . . FOR LEAVING”

The Clippers made sure that would be the only thing passing for excitement, continuing their recent good play by taking a 16-point lead by halftime, 55-39, as Ken Norman made six of seven shots off the bench. Benjamin, not without his moments of success, was booed every time he touched the ball.

The lead reached 20 early in the third quarter, 63-43. The SuperSonics, who have what should be an easy stretch of the schedule coming up with two games against Denver and one with Orlando in the next 10 days, trailed, 80-65, heading into the fourth quarter.

Clipper Notes

Gary Grant went through informal drills for the first time Thursday after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee a week earlier, but he did not dress against Seattle in what was supposed to be his earliest possible return. Trainer Keith Jones said Grant, who had been running on his own, developed minor swelling and pain after the 90-minute workout. . . . Bo Kimble was sidelined for the first time because of injury, a strained groin muscle.

Ralph Lawler, who has done Clipper radio and TV play-by-play since their days in San Diego, was honored during halftime ceremonies for his 900th broadcast with the team. “I’m awfully lucky,” he said. “I’ve looked forward to coming to work for 900 straight games, and that’s a neat feeling.” . . . Benoit Benjamin’s five-year, $17.7-million contract includes weight clauses under which Benjamin will return money if he doesn’t hit a limit. His number for training camp next fall, according to league sources, is 270. Benjamin missed a $100,000 bonus this season when he failed to report at 265.