Clipper Rally Against Warriors Is Futile

It was the NBA’s version of family feud when the Clippers met the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at the Sports Arena.

Guard Brent Barry of the Clippers faced his brother, Jon, a Warrior guard, for the second time this season.

Brent Barry had nine points and four assists in 24 minutes as the Clippers beat the Warriors, 118-106, on Nov. 14 at Oakland. Jon Barry had five points, one rebound and one assist in 14 minutes that game.

But the Warriors got even, handing the Clippers their sixth consecutive loss, 128-124, before an announced 6,057.

The Clippers, who trailed by as many as 17 points in the final quarter, outscored the Warriors, 26-10, to cut the deficit to 123-122 on Bo Outlaw’s layup with 56 seconds left.

After Latrell Sprewell, who had 26 points, made a free throw with 39 seconds left to give the Warriors a two-point lead, Clipper center Brian Williams, who had 22 points and 12 rebounds, tied it at 124-124 with 28 seconds remaining when he made a hook shot.

Joe Smith, the first pick in the 1995 draft, tipped in a Sprewell miss with 19 seconds left to give the Warriors a 126-124 lead. Smith had 23 points and 16 rebounds.

“We had [Toronto guard Damon] Stoudamire in here and I bragged on him,” Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said. “I think if you cast the vote tomorrow [for Rookie of the Year] and I had to cast it I’d give it to Joe based on the fact that he’s become a very accomplished [power forward]. The one bad thing for Joe is that I don’t get to vote.”

The Clippers called a timeout to set up a play, but guard Pooh Richardson, who missed six of 10 shots, failed on a three-point attempt with 10 seconds left.

“We had too good of a chance to win that game,” Williams said. “We basically grabbed defeat out of the jaws of victory.”

Richardson then fouled Tim Hardaway, who made two free throws for the final margin.

Brent Barry had 15 points in 22 minutes before fouling out with 6:11 left. Jon Barry had three points in seven minutes.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Brent Barry said of facing his brother. “I guess I’m going to have to get used to it, hopefully we’ll be playing in this league for a long time. But we certainly don’t want it to be some sort of sideshow. We both have jobs to do, but it’s fun to see him and have him in town.”

The Barrys were on the court together for only 3:20 in the first half, with each getting a three-point basket and an assist.

Father Rick Barry, a member of the Hall of Fame who led the Warriors to the 1975 NBA title, attended the game, as did the players’ mother, Pat Connelly.

A smile crossed Rick Barry’s face when Brent entered the game with 9:27 left in the second quarter and Jon covered him as he dribbled down court.

Brent made a three-point shot over his brother and also set up Williams for a dunk with a nice pass.

But Jon responded with a three-point basket before leaving with 4:47 left.

“It was really fun to watch them because it was the first time I’ve really seen them play against each other where they did that other than screwing around on the playgrounds,” Rick Barry said. “I had mixed emotions. I want them to do well, but if they’re scoring that means neither one is playing very good defense.

“In my wildest dreams I didn’t think all my boys would even play basketball. I thought one or two of them probably wouldn’t go anywhere near sports. But three of them play professionally [Scooter Barry plays in Germany] and Drew [a senior at Georgia Tech] has got a great chance of making it. He’s got a chance to be a first-round draft pick. That would be unbelievable if he were able to make it as well.”

Selected to play in Saturday’s NBA Rookie All-Star game, Brent Barry has averaged 18.2 points in his last five games. He was starting his ninth consecutive game in place of Malik Sealy, sidelined because of a broken thumb.

“I think Brent’s coming along very nicely,” Rick Barry said. “He knows that he’s got a lot of work to do, the thing about it is he’s willing to put that time and effort into it. Brent’s future is unlimited.”