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Clippers Overtaken by Knicks : Pro basketball: New York clamps down and erases 14-point deficit to win, 94-86.

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

Troubled by turmoil in the last two weeks, the New York Knicks were hoping for a respite against the Clippers, the NBA’s worst team.

But the Clippers gave the Knicks all they could handle, building a 14-point second-quarter lead before losing their sixth consecutive game, 94-86, Saturday night before a sellout crowd of 16,021 at the Sports Arena.

“When people talk about the Clippers, everyone presumes that they don’t have to come in and play,” Knick Coach Pat Riley said. “What you have to realize is that if you don’t play hard against this team, you’re going to lose. I tip my hat to that team.”

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New York center Patrick Ewing had 27 points and eight rebounds as the Knicks defeated the Clippers for the fourth time in a row and the 16th in their last 18 meetings. Guard John Starks made six of 11 three-point shots and scored 20 points.

But the NBA’s third-best defensive team embarrassed themselves in the first half as the Clippers shot 57.9% and built a 43-29 lead.

However, the Knicks clamped down in the second half, holding the Clippers to 38.8% shooting.

“They turned it up on defense,” said swingman Harold Ellis, who had 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and a season-high five steals for the Clippers. “We didn’t get a lot of easy shots that we had in the first half. They played good defense and they kept us moving, so it was hard for us to get those shots because by the time we got to the offensive end, we were out of gas.

“I think we would have beaten anybody else in the league tonight with our effort, but the Knicks are a good team. It does get frustrating, but maybe we can get some wins down the stretch.”

Ellis, who had averaged 4.3 points in his first three starts since replacing injured guard Malik Sealy, made his first eight shots before missing a 50-foot desperation heave at the end of the third quarter.

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Clipper guard Pooh Richardson had the second triple double of his NBA career, getting 11 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.

“I think that’s the hardest-playing team we’ve played this year,” Richardson said. “Whatever they’re doing over there to get ready for the playoffs or that championship run, they’ve got the qualities.”

Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said: “The Knicks played good defense in both halves, but we shot ourselves in the foot more in the second half.”

The Clippers committed 11 turnovers after halftime.

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Clipper Notes

Knick forward Anthony Mason, suspended for storming off the bench when Coach Pat Riley took him out in the third quarter of a game against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, is expected to be reactivated for tonight’s game against the Seattle SuperSonics at the Tacoma Dome. Mason arrived in Seattle Saturday night.

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