Clippers Find the Answer in Pooh

Clipper guard Pooh Richardson, who missed the first month of the season because of a foot injury, has struggled since returning.

Richardson, who had shot 31.8% in his last two games, broke out of his slump by hitting seven of 14 shots and scoring 20 points as the Clippers beat the Phoenix Suns, 94-88, Friday night before an announced crowd of 8,626 at the Sports Arena.

“He was Duke Ellington conducting the show tonight and we were just members of the band,” Clipper center Brian Williams said of Richardson.

“I thought Pooh played a great game tonight,” Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said. “When Pooh has got things going I have a tendency to leave him out there and he gets tired. But tonight Terry [Dehere] did such a good job that Pooh was rested and when he came back he finished strong.”

With the Suns leading, 88-87, after Wesley Person made a three-pointer, Richardson, who accounted for six of the Clippers’ final seven points, hit a jumper with 2:13 remaining to make it 89-88.

The Suns had a chance to take the lead, but Richardson, who also had nine assists, stole a Charles Barkley pass and set up forward Loy Vaught for a jumper with 48.1 seconds remaining as the Clippers took a three-point lead.

“Charles was penetrating and coach told us to fake the double team and come back out and Charles got stuck in the air and threw the ball directly to me,” Richardson said. “I saw Loy standing in that spot and normally if he’s standing in that spot, he ain’t going to miss.”

After calling a timeout to set up a play. Sun guard Elliott Perry missed a three-pointer with 36.3 seconds left. However, Williams missed a chance to put the game away when he missed a layup with 25 seconds left.

But Richardson made two free throws with 15 seconds left to give the Clippers a safe 93-88 lead. Vaught, who had 17 points and 16 rebounds, added a free throw for the final margin.

Williams had 18 points and 14 rebounds and rookie guard Brent Barry made four of five three-pointers and scored 14 points in 25 minutes.

The Clippers, who held the Suns scoreless for the final 2:35 to end a three-game losing streak, improved their record to 12-20. They didn’t win their 12th game last season until March 6.

Barkley led the shorthanded Suns with 26 points and 12 rebounds and Wayman Tisdale had 22 points in 32 minutes as a reserve.

The Suns--who fell three games under .500 at 13-16--ended the game with eight players. Guard Kevin Johnson (groin), center Joe Klein (flu) and swingman Stefano Ruscon (Achilles) didn’t dress and center John “Hot Rod” Williams sat out the second half because of a strained right knee suffered in the opening quarter.

“It’s not brain surgery or rocket science, we’re not very good right now,” Barkley said.

The Clippers, who trailed, 59-48, outscored the Suns, 21-9, in the final 6:45 of the third quarter to take a 69-68 lead into the fourth quarter. The Clippers scored the final five points of the quarter as Richardson made a three-pointer with 1:10 remaining to them within one at 68-67 and Williams, who had nine points in the quarter, made a layup with 35.1 seconds left to give the Clippers the lead.

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Clipper Notes

Clipper center Brian Williams said he has switched from red shoes to blue because they have a calming effect on him. “Colors affect your moods,” Williams said. “Blue leaves me more cool and calm. Looking down at the red shoes, I’d get too mad. Now that I’m wearing blue, have I gotten a technical? Have I fouled out? It’s been more tranquil.” . . . Clipper forward Rodney Rogers was activated after missing 15 games because of a sprained ankle. Rogers missed eight of nine shots, including a dunk, and had three points and four rebounds in 23 minutes.