Fitch Boils Over, Draws Ejection : Clippers: Two technical fouls in second quarter finish coach’s night. Pistons win, 102-95.

Clipper Coach Bill Fitch has done a superb job of maintaining his composure this season, despite coaching the NBA’s worst team.

But Fitch’s patience finally wore out in a 102-95 loss to the Detroit Pistons Monday night before 12,657 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

He was ejected with 3:25 remaining in the second quarter after receiving two technical fouls for arguing with referee Jim Clark.

Fitch waved off reporters after the game, declining to discuss his first ejection of the season.

“I’m done,” Fitch said as he sat in a corner of the locker room. “I can’t afford you guys tonight (which could draw a fine for criticizing the officials).”

It was the 38th time Fitch has been ejected in his 22-year NBA career. Only Golden State Warrior Coach Don Nelson, who had 49 ejections at the start of the season, and Dallas Coach Dick Motta (43) have been ejected from more games.

Fitch has drawn 262 technical fouls in an NBA coaching career that has spanned three decades. Only four coaches have gotten more--Miami Coach Kevin Loughery, who had 376 at the start of the season; Motta, 362; former Phoenix Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons, 279, and Nelson 279.

Fitch, who had only one technical in the Clippers’ first 43 games, lost his cool.

Angry because he believed the officials failed to call the Pistons for an illegal defense, Fitch bolted from his seat to chide Clark. Jake O’Donnell, the lead official, reportedly told Clark to call a technical foul on Fitch if he jumped out of his seat again.

When Fitch leaped out his seat on the next possession, Clipper trainer Keith Jones said he heard Clark tell Fitch to sit down and shut up and Fitch respond by telling Clark, “You shut up, Jimmy.”

Fitch came at Clark after he was hit with the first technical. Clipper forward Loy Vaught tried to restrain him.

“I thought I had him saved, but then he got an extra burst of energy,” Vaught said. “I guess he just got emotional. It was a little surprising. Normally, we don’t see that from him. It was just a tough break for our team. . . . He was probably justified.”

Clark seemed to delay calling the second technical, slowly moving his hands as if to form a “T” to warn Fitch.

But Fitch didn’t let up, telling Clark to “get off your . . . “ and Clark threw him out of the game.

Assistant Jim Brewer, who played for Fitch at the University of Minnesota in 1969-70 and later with the Cleveland Cavaliers, ran the team after Fitch left.

Brewer said Fitch didn’t deserve to be ejected.

“He’s been totally under control the whole year,” Brewer said. “But I think it was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

“I think he will tell you that he really didn’t say anything to deserve a technical. I didn’t hear him say anything that bad.”

The Clippers overcame a 14-point third-quarter deficit, closing to within 93-90 on a Lamond Murray’s layup with 4:01 to play.

“Brew stepped in and did nicely,” said Vaught, who had 30 points and 12 rebounds. “He was composed under pressure.”

But the Pistons scored five consecutive points to hand the Clippers (7-37) their third consecutive loss.

Detroit center Mark West started the spurt when he made a layup and guard Joe Dumars, who had 26 points and 14 assists, made a technical foul shot after the Clippers’ were called for their second illegal defense violation.

Rookie forward Grant Hill, who had 27 points, six rebounds and five assists dunked off a pass from Dumars to cap the run as the Pistons (14-26) won for the third time in their last four games.

Detroit Coach Don Chaney, who coached the Clippers to a 12-70 record in 1986-87, the worst mark in team history, said he feels for Fitch.

“I know exactly what he’s going through,” said Chaney, who coached the Clippers for 2 1/2 seasons. “But when he gets some guys back it will be better. It really takes its toll.”