Clippers Surprise San Antonio, 95-90

No, it’s not a typographical error.

The Clippers, who are well on their way to their third consecutive last-place finish in the Pacific Division, beat the San Antonio Spurs, 95-90, Tuesday night before 14,555 at the Pond of Anaheim.

“I told the guys after the game that the toughest part would be driving home in all that snow,” Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said after watching his team beat the Spurs for only the fourth time in 25 games since 1989. “Somebody said it would be a cold day in hell before we beat the Spurs,”

Center Brian Williams had 22 points and six rebounds as the Clippers (18-37) ended a four-game losing streak, beating the Spurs for the first time in 11 games.

San Antonio Coach Bob Hill didn’t stick around to see the loss. Hill was ejected for the third time this season when he received his second technical foul with 5:50 remaining for arguing with referee Ron Olesiak.

Hill was so angry that he kept the locker room closed for 15 minutes after the game, five minutes more than NBA rules allow.

Hill said he was more upset with his players than the officials.

“I was protesting the fact that we weren’t even playing to win,” he said of his ejection. “I didn’t have anything against the officials. I didn’t want to watch us play anymore.

“We were absolutely awful in every phase of the game.”

The Clippers, who had lost 17 of their previous 19 games, built a seven-point lead and then almost gave the game away in the final minute.

The Spurs, who trailed, 88-81, cut it to 88-84 when guard Vinny Del Negro made a three-point shot with 1:01 remaining. But Clipper guard Terry Dehere, who had 13 points in 25 minutes as a reserve, made a free throw with 49 seconds remaining to restore the five-point lead.

The Spurs then made three free throws to cut the deficit to 89-87.

Center David Robinson, who played the final quarter on a twisted right ankle, had 28 points and 14 rebounds for the Spurs.

Williams may prefer the Sports Arena to the Pond of Anaheim, but he’s probably the only one in the Clipper organization--except owner Donald T. Sterling--who doesn’t think the Clippers should flee to Orange County.

Asked if he still doesn’t like playing here, Williams declined comment.

The Clippers were playing at their home away from home, which could become their home if Sterling decides to leave the Sports Arena. Friday is the deadline for notifying the NBA of a possible move.

Former Clipper forward Charles Smith, traded from the New York Knicks to the Spurs on Feb. 8, thinks the Clippers should move to Anaheim.

“I heard there’s a possibility they might come down here,” Smith said before the game. “I think that would be great for the players and the organization if they can work it out.”

Fitch was noncommittal on a possible move.

“We’re still debating the pros and cons [of a move] and I don’t think it’s my place to give an opinion right now unless the owner asks for one, and he hasn’t,” Fitch said.

Sterling attended the game, sitting in courtside seats for the first half.

Smith, who averaged 9.6 points in his first seven games with the Spurs, had 15 points and eight rebounds in the first three quarters as the Spurs took a 71-70 lead into the final quarter.

Clipper Notes

Guard Malik Sealy, who was placed on the injured list on Jan. 19 because of a broken right thumb, will return to practice today and hopes to be activated by the end of the week. The Clippers would have to waive a player or place someone on the injured list to make room for Sealy, who averaged 13.6 points in 37 games. . . . Forward Loy Vaught, who sat out Sunday’s loss to the Seattle SuperSonics because of food poisoning, returned, getting 11 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out. . . . Guard Brent Barry became the franchise’s all-time single-season leader with 92 three-point baskets. Brian Taylor had 90 three-point baskets in 1979-80. The Clippers have made 335 three-pointers to eclipse the team record of 331 set last season.