Clippers Aren’t the Life of Party

Holding the NBA’s best record and playing its worst team, it was time for San Antonio Spur Coach Bob Hill to sit back and enjoy watching a Midwest Division banner raised to the rafters of the Alamodome.

And the Clippers didn’t spoil the celebration Friday night, falling behind by 34 points in the second half before falling, 107-96

“It means something special to me to be able to do this,” said Hill, who in his first year as San Antonio’s coach has led the team to a franchise-record 61 victories.

“Since November, I thought we could be pretty good. I was proud of what we were able to accomplish. The players deserve a lot of credit. They’ve embraced things that I’ve preached and it has all paid off.”

Sean Elliott scored 21 points as San Antonio won its sixth in a row and 20th in their last 22 games.

Vinny Del Negro scored 16 points, David Robinson added 15 and Avery Johnson had 14 points and nine assists. Most of the Spurs’ starters rested during the second half.

Clipper Coach Bill Fitch, who led Boston to the NBA title in 1981, thinks the Spurs could go all the way.

“There’s two types of championship teams,” Fitch said. “There’s the ones that are built for 82 games, and they’ve proven themselves over an 82-game season.

“Now it comes down to who has the best eight-man rotation. Their eight-man depth is as good as any.”

Dennis Rodman clinched his fourth consecutive rebounding title by grabbing 17 boards in 29 minutes. Teammate Moses Malone is the only NBA player to lead the league in rebounding five seasons and Wilt Chamberlain twice led the league four consecutive seasons.

Rodman had been displeased about his recent lack of playing time since returning from a shoulder injury last week, but a pregame meeting with Hill soothed any problems, the coach said.

“We just had a little chat before the game,” Hill said. “Dennis will be there in the playoffs for us. I don’t really worry about it.”

Lamond Murray scored 21 points and Terry Dehere added 20 for the Clippers, who lost their sixth consecutive game.

San Antonio took advantage of a cold Clippers shooting spell early in the game to quickly take control of the game. The Clippers missed 10 consecutive shots as the Spurs charged to a quick 12-4 lead.

“It was one of those games we got into it and had an easy time,” Hill said. “We were able to play everybody.”

Despite the quick start, Robinson was disappointed in San Antonio’s early offense.

“We could have done better,” Robinson said. “It was good that we were able to get ahead of them, but we have to pick it up some for the playoffs.”