Clippers Can’t Stop Barkley

All-star forward Charles Barkley, who once derided the Clippers as the paper clips, isn’t laughing at them anymore.

“They play very hard and you’ve got to respect them,” Barkley said. “I respect people who work hard at their jobs, no matter what job you do. The Clippers are one of the hardest working teams in the league.”

Barkley was too much for the Clippers to handle, getting a season-high 35 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as the Houston Rockets ended the Clippers’ three-game winning streak, 127-117, Tuesday night before a sellout crowd of 16,021 at the Sports Arena.

The Clippers (34-42) lead the Sacramento Kings (31-45) by three games for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth with six games remaining.

Contending for their first playoff berth since 1993, the Clippers face an uphill battle, ending the season with games at Houston, Seattle and facing the Lakers in their home finale.

“It’s going to be hard, but I think we can make it,” said forward Loy Vaught, who had 18 points, four rebounds and four steals before fouling out in the final quarter. “It’s not going to be a cakewalk, but the first step in winning is believing you can win.”

Barkley, playing his fourth game after missing a month with a hip injury, made 10 of 16 of shots in 40 minutes. A 68% free throw shooter, Barkley made his first 10 free throws before missing with 3:18 remaining. He made 13 of 14 free throws.

“I don’t think he’s at the top of his game,” Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said of Barkley. “I think he’d tell you that he had a couple times where he didn’t handle the double team because he was tired. But he’s getting there and I’m sure they’re glad to see him as far along as he is.”

Clipper swingman Bo Outlaw and Barkley drew double technical fouls with 46.8 seconds remaining in the second quarter after getting into an elbowing scuffle. Outlaw confronted Barkley before they were separated by referee Bennett Salvatore. Rocket Coach Rudy Tomjanovich immediately pulled Barkley.

Ever the showman, Barkley teased and entertained the Clippers’ fourth sellout crowd, talking with a baldheaded fan who stuck out his tongue at him and comparing shaved heads.

Barkley turned to actor Billy Crystal, seated in the front row, and raised his hands after making a three-point shot in the third quarter.

Forward Rodney Rogers, who had 10 points in the first quarter, missed the final three quarters because of an ankle injury. Rogers sprained his right ankle a minute into the second quarter when he fell after getting a rebound and Barkley tripped over his ankle.

“Rodney was playing up a storm,” Fitch said. “He gives us a lot of heart and a lot of leadership.”

Rookie swingman Lorenzen Wright started the third quarter in place of Rogers and had 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

The Clippers can ill afford to lose Rogers, who averaged 15.1 points, six rebounds and 4.3 assists in 17 games last month.

The Clippers, who trailed by 13 points in the third quarter, outscored the Rockets, 28-15, in a run at the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth. They took a 100-99 lead when Terry Dehere, who had 15 points in 15 minutes in his previous game, made a three-point jump shot with 6:55 remaining in the final quarter.

But the Rockets blitzed the Clippers, 11-1, to defeat the them for the second time in three games.

“We had a chance to win this game with five minutes to go, but they got a key loose ball and scored,” said guard Malik Sealy, who had a team-high 26 points. “That was the most important play of the game.”