Jazz Brings Out the Best in Clippers

Was it only last April that Karl Malone elbowed the Clippers out of the playoffs?

It seems like a decade ago.

The Clippers, who played the Utah Jazz tough before being swept out in three games in the first-round series, thought they would build on their first playoff appearance since 1993, but they have taken a step big backward.

It hasn’t been a fun season, but for one night, the Clippers enjoyed themselves.

The Clippers took a 21-point third quarter lead and beat the Jazz, 111-102, Tuesday night before 13,553 at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.

“This is good for them,” Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said after his team ended an eight-game losing streak. “We’re going through hard times, but they kept their intensity up and they played hard and got the win.

“The playoffs last year never cross our mind. We just needed a win no matter who we played.”

The Jazz, who lost to Chicago in the NBA finals last season, seemed to be looking ahead to tonight’s game against the Bulls at Salt Lake City.

“I don’t know why you would look ahead to them, because this was the most important game right here,” Utah Coach Jerry Sloan said. “But they wanted it more than we did. They executed and we couldn’t stop them.

“We were in another world. Those guys are still over at Disney World I guess.”

Clipper guard James Robinson was the star for the Clippers, scoring 25 points in 27 minutes as a reserve .

Robinson had 11 points in the fourth quarter.

“It may have been his best game as a pro,” Fitch said. “He was playing in the seven-man rotation and I don’t think he’s done that in his career.”

Malone, who at one point elbowed Darrick Martin to the court, said the Clippers play the Jazz tough.

“They seem to get ready to play us all the time,” said Malone, who had 23 points and seven rebounds. “It’s kind of amazing. If they played everybody like they played us . . .

“They have the talent, I guess we bring the best out in them.”

Swingman Eric Piatkowski, starting his sixth consecutive game in place of Brent Barry, scored 12 points in the first quarter as the Clippers took a 26-23 lead.

Piatkowski, who had averaged 15.2 points since moving into the starting lineup, scored 15 again Tuesday. He made four of six shots in the first quarter.

Lorenzen Wright, who had averaged 12.5 rebounds in his last two games, had seven rebounds in the first quarter as the Clippers outrebounded the Jazz, 14-7.

Wright was on his way to 17 points and 15 rebounds.

The Clippers outscored the Jazz, 18-4, in the first six minutes of the second quarter to take an 18-point lead.

Outside shooting was a key for the Clippers, who made 12 of 23 three-pointers.