Clippers Are Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood

Forward Rodney Rogers was the most consistent Clipper coming into Friday night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 20.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in his last three games.

“He’s played good defense and he’s given us good leadership,” Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said of Rogers. “He’s done a good job at both ends of the floor.”

Rogers played to recent form Friday, scoring 22 points as the Clippers beat the 76ers, 107-93, before an announced crowd of 12,610 at the Sports Arena.

“I can’t say enough about him,” Fitch said of Rogers, who made 10 of 14 shots, including two three-point baskets. “When we were struggling he was the guy that continued to come up with the big plays.”

Center Brian Williams had 24 points and 11 rebounds as the Clippers (25-42) won for the eighth time in their last 13 games. Forward Loy Vaught had 18 points and 12 rebounds.

“This is the kind of basketball that I’ve always been hoping to enjoy here as a Clipper,” Vaught said. “I’m excited coming to each game now because we’re expected to win. It’s a totally different feeling.”

The Clippers, who have 15 games remaining, have an outside shot at their first playoff berth since 1993. They are 5 1/2 games behind the Sacramento Kings for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.

The Clippers, who trailed, 57-53, outscored Philadelphia, 25-4, in the final 7:45 of the third quarter and beat the 76ers for the third consecutive game. Rogers had 12 points in the quarter and Vaught added 10 as the Clippers took a 17-point lead into the final quarter.

They led by as much as 21 points.

The 76ers, who were without rookie swingman Jerry Stackhouse, their leading scorer, lost their sixth consecutive game. Stackhouse was serving the first game of a two-game suspension for punching Utah guard Jeff Hornacek in the third quarter of Wednesday night’s 107-84 loss to the Jazz.

76er Coach John Lucas said before the game that his team would miss Stackhouse, who was averaging 19 points.

“Pretty much everything we’ve done has been predicated on him, and I’ve made Jerry do a lot of things,” Lucas said. “I think we’re going to miss him a lot, but I think this is a great lesson for him and a great experience for him to grow up and see how much he means to us.

“As his coach, I’ve got to make sure he understands and learns the game the right way. Being frustrated is one thing, but being stupid is something different.”

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Clipper Notes

Clipper Coach Bill Fitch tore his tie off in the first quarter, but not because he was upset with the officials. “I’m coming off a cold and it wasn’t very comfortable in that tie,” Fitch said. “It had nothing to do with the officiating. I had to go over and tell the officials because it was right after a call and I figured I was going to get a technical for taking off my tie.” . . . Guard Malik Sealy, who missed 20 games because of a broken thumb, started his third consecutive game in place of rookie Brent Barry, who has been hampered by a toe injury. Sealy had two points, missing six of seven shots. Barry had three points in nine minutes.