The Lakers' 16th Candle Stays Lit : Pro basketball: They beat the Clippers in overtime, 109-108, and continue a streak of playoff appearances that began in 1976-77.

By MARK HEISLER

April 20, 1992 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

A funny thing happened on the way to the lottery.

The Lakers went eyeball to eyeball with extinction all weekend and lived to tell the story. Sedale Threatt made a 14-footer with four seconds to play in overtime, giving the Lakers a 109-108 victory over the Clippers, sending the Lakers to the playoffs for the 16th consecutive season.

The Lakers will play the Trail Blazers during the first round, starting Thursday in Portland.

The Clippers will play the Jazz, starting Friday in Salt Lake City.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of a Laker team,” General Manger Jerry West said. “With what has happened to us, it’s a great tribute to all of the players and coaches.

“Amazing is a word that’s used a lot, but it really is amazing.”

Once again, the Lakers had to watch their fate pass before their eyes on TV. Once again, the Rockets lost, granting the Lakers a reprieve. Houston’s magic number--one since the Lakers lost at Sacramento Thursday--never came up.

Then the Lakers had to claw their way past the Clippers, who wiped out a 15-point first-half Laker lead and went ahead by nine during the third quarter.

With four seconds to play in regulation, the Lakers’ Elden Campbell had a chance to win it with two free throws--but made only one.

With 10 seconds to play in overtime, Danny Manning tipped in Ken Norman’s missed shot, giving the Clippers a 108-107 lead.

The Lakers ran their last play for Threatt, driving left from the top of the key. Doc Rivers, guarding him, fell backward, trying to draw a charging foul, but didn’t get it.

Instead, Threatt got an open 14-footer from the left wing, and made it.

The Lakers showed up early Sunday afternoon to watch the Rockets on TV, as they had Friday in Portland.

Once more, it worked like a charm.

“Mouth to mouth, baby!” Coach Mike Dunleavy said as time ran out on the Rockets.

The Clippers, meanwhile, got ready to rain on the Laker parade. Charles Smith, who sat out their previous game Friday at Golden State, went back into the lineup.

“I think we should (play it normally),” Coach Larry Brown said. “We owe it to the league and everybody. We’ve got to start playing better and stop celebrating.”

Their celebration lasted a little longer.

Scott had 11 points during the first quarter as the Lakers took a 28-20 lead, then boosted it to 35-20 during the second quarter.

It took the Clippers 7:08 to catch them. They scored on 13 of their next 14 possessions, tying the score, at 45-45 on Manning’s fast-break dunk.

Danny Young’s three-pointer at the end of the first half put the Clippers ahead, 54-51. An 8-2 burst at the start of the third quarter made the score 62-53.

After that, the Lakers played catch-up, and did.

With four seconds to play, Campbell went to the free-throw line with the Clippers ahead, 100-99, and a chance to win it. He had to settle for making one of two and tying it, 100-100, forcing overtime.

Then the Lakers had to come from behind in the overtime.

Manning’s running hook gave the Clippers a 106-04 lead.

With 40 seconds to play, A.C. Green rebounded Terry Teagle’s missed shot, was fouled and made two free throws, putting the Lakers ahead, 107-106.

With 10 seconds to play, Manning rebounded Norman’s missed shot, his basket making the score 108-107.

With four seconds to play, Threatt sank the 14-footer heard ‘round Southern California.

A miracle?

“Yeah, I think so,” Threatt said. “Nobody expected us to win.”

Said Rivers: “They’re at home, and the crowd’s behind them, and Houston had lost after losing those games to Dallas. (The Lakers) had to feel that it was for them to make the playoffs. It was almost fate.”

Goodby, Shaquille O’Neal.

Laker Notes

The Clippers’ Danny Manning led all scorers with 34 points. The Laker starting backcourt combined for 51 points, 27 for Byron Scott, 24 for Sedale Threatt. Terry Teagle scored 20 off the bench.

Magic Johnson has decided not to talk to Sacramento owner Jim Thomas about buying into the Kings until he figures out if he wants to play again, said his agent, Lon Rosen. Johnson is expected to make a decision on playing after the Olympics. Johnson has signed his first endorsement deal since announcing he is HIV positive, with Skybox, a trading card company. Johnson has retained all his other endorsements but one, for Nestle’s. Final tally: Of the projected Laker starters, Johnson missed 82 games; Vlade Divac 46; James Worthy 28, and Sam Perkins 19.

* DOWN AND OUT

With the final Western Conference playoff berth on the line, the Houston Rockets lose at home to the Phoenix Suns. C9

NBA Playoff Schedules

CLIPPERS vs. UTAH

Friday: at Utah, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday: at Utah, 4 p.m.

April 28: at Sports Arena, 7:30 p.m.

April 30: at Sports Arena,* TBA

May 2: at Utah,* TBA

LAKERS vs. PORTLAND

Thursday: at Portland, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday: at Portland, 12:30 p.m.