Fitch Gets the Heave-Ho, but Clippers Get Victory

Coach Bill Fitch wasn’t around to see much of it, but Rodney Rogers scored 30 points, including a go-ahead three-point basket with 20 seconds left, to give the Clippers a 107-102 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.

Fitch was ejected with 5:19 left in the first quarter after getting two quick technical fouls from referee Ted Bernhardt. Fitch objected to a technical called on Isaac Austin.

The Clippers, however, won their fifth consecutive game against the Warriors, who have the NBA’s second-worst record.

Clarence Weatherspoon’s bank shot with 34.7 seconds left gave the Warriors a 102-100 lead, but Rogers countered with a three-point basket to put the Clippers ahead for good, 103-102.

The Warriors threw away two passes and missed a shot on their final three possessions, and the Clippers made four free throws in the final 13 seconds to seal the victory.

Rogers made 12 of 17 shots from the field and grabbed 12 rebounds.

Donyell Marshall tied a season high with 28 points for Golden State, while Erick Dampier added 17 points and 12 assists.

The Clippers led, 83-78, after three quarters, but the Warriors scored the first six points of the fourth to go ahead, 84-83, on Jimmy Jackson’s two free throws.

The Warriors led, 97-93, before the Clippers scored five consecutive points, taking a 98-97 lead on Eric Piatkowski’s layup with 3:46 left.