Clippers Can’t Crowd Jordan : Pro basketball: Record 18,321 see Bulls win, 104-98, in Anaheim.

The largest crowd in franchise history came out to see Chicago Bull guard Michael Jordan put on a show, but the Clippers showed that they aren’t the NBA’s worst team.

With only 10 sound players after losing starting forward Rodney Rogers because of a first-quarter ankle injury, the Clippers overcame an 18-point deficit, tying the score at 86-86 in the final quarter before losing, 104-98, Saturday night before a record 18,321 at The Pond of Anaheim.

“I like the Clippers,” Bull Coach Phil Jackson said. “They’ve done a good job rebuilding. They’ve got some good young players, good talent that in a couple years is going to be a playoff contender, I think.”

Former Clipper guard Ron Harper, who had 18 points, agreed.

“Once they get everybody 100% back, they’re going to be a hell of a group,” Harper said.

The big crowd probably came to see Jordan, and he didn’t disappoint, getting 37 points and 11 rebounds.

The NBA’s leading scorer, Jordan made 13 of 22 shots and 11 of 14 free throws. He also had five assists and four steals.

Forward Scottie Pippen added 21 points and 13 rebounds as the Bulls (13-3) won their third in a row. They won six of seven games on a 12-day Western trip.

“It was a great road trip,” Jackson said. “Any time you play seven games in two weeks and come out of it 6-1 in the early part of the season is always good.”

The Clippers (7-9) have lost four in a row after getting off to their best start in 20 years, and it doesn’t get any easier. They play the defending Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic on Tuesday night at the Sports Arena.

The Clippers, who trailed, 30-12, at the end of the first quarter and by 15 points at halftime, outscored the Bulls, 38-26, in the third quarter and trailed, 82-79, going into the final quarter.

Center Brian Williams made seven of eight shots and had 19 points in the third quarter as the Clippers, who shot a season-low 23.8% in the first quarter, shot 63.6%. Guard Brent Barry, who started the second half in place of Malik Sealy, made three of four shots and had eight points in the quarter.

After outscoring the Bulls, 7-4, in the first two minutes of the final quarter, the Clippers gave up 11 unanswered points as the Bulls took a 97-86 lead on a layup by Jordan with 6:41 remaining.

“I don’t give a damn about moral victories,” said Williams, who had 24 points and 10 rebounds. “At the end of the day it’s an ‘L’ and the more ‘L’s’ you get that’s just starting to stand for lottery.”

Said Clipper Coach Bill Fitch: “You can play bad, but to play and think bad and do some of the things we did out there is scary.”

Guard Terry Dehere had a season-high 21 points and a career-high 12 assists in his second consecutive start at point guard. Forward Loy Vaught had 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Already shorthanded because of injuries to point guard Pooh Richardson (foot) and center Stanley Roberts (ankle), the Clippers lost Rogers because of a sprained left ankle 3 1/2 minutes into the game.

Rogers, injured while going for a rebound under the Bulls’ basket, had to be carried off the court. He was taken to Anaheim Memorial Hospital for X-rays, which were negative.

Barry, who made six of seven shots and had 15 points, limped off the court because of a bruised right thigh with 1:35 remaining.

Sealy sat out the third quarter after bumping knees with Pippen in the second quarter. He returned in the final quarter and finished with only five points in 14 minutes, missing five of seven shots.

*

Clipper Notes

Point guard Pooh Richardson, who was put on the injured list before the season because of a stress fracture in his left foot, will accompany the Clippers on a four-game trip that begins next Thursday at Milwaukee. However, Coach Bill Fitch said the club hasn’t decided when Richardson will be activated.