Frustration Ends for Clippers, 109-92 : Pro basketball: Harper apologizes for comments, then leads L.A. over Bullets.

The Clippers’ frustration was evident on the heels of a season-high three game losing streak, including two losses to two of the NBA’s worst teams--Minnesota and Milwaukee.

But the Clippers relieved that frustration by defeating the Washington Bullets, 109-92, Wednesday night before 9,119 at the Sports Arena.

It was the Bullets’ 11th defeat in their last 12 games.

Clipper guard Ron Harper, who apologized before the game for comments he made after Monday night’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, when he said that the Clippers smelled, scored a team-high 24 points, including 14 in the third quarter as the Clippers outscored Washington, 31-18, to take a 21-point lead into the fourth quarter.

“I said these things out of frustration,” Harper said. “I said some things I probably shouldn’t have said out of frustration. I apologize to the media, the fans, my teammates and the organization.”

“There were some things that I said because I was mad. I like to win.”

With Clipper General Manager Elgin Baylor near Harper as he addressed reporters, Harper was on his best behavior.

“I can be frustrated just like anybody else can be frustrated,” Harper said. “My job is to go out and win basketball games. That’s what I’m paid to do and that what I try to do.

“I knew that the fans were kind of mad and all, but I just played hard. Me and my teammates, we all are friends. They know as a group that there are some things we’re trying to change.”

Clipper forward Danny Manning, who was so frustrated after the loss to the Bucks that he stormed into the Clippers’ private workout room and ran on a treadmill until he was exhausted, recorded the first triple-double of his career, getting 12 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

Did Harper’s comments motivate the Clippers?

“I didn’t know anything about it until later on today,” Manning said. “I try to play every game. I can’t read the paper to get fired up. If that’s the case, I’d be fired up all the time.”

Forward Mark Aguirre scored a season-high 24 points in a reserve role, including 12 in the fourth quarter.

All five Clipper starters were in double figures. Forward Loy Vaught had 13 points and 12 rebounds, center Elmore Spencer had 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots and guard Mark Jackson had 11 points and eight assists.

Although the Clippers won for only fourth time in 11 games this month, they still had 22 turnovers as their offense looked out of sync at times against the Bullets.

Kenny Walker and former UCLA star Don MacLean led Washington with 19 points each.

Spencer, who had averaged 10.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.14 blocked shots in the last seven games, scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds in the first half as the Clippers took a 54-46 lead. Spencer made all five shots he took in the first half as the Clippers shot 54.4%.