Clippers’ Inspired Play Continues in 105-96 Win

In the final matchup of the season between the NBA’s two worst teams, the Clippers avoided a four-game sweep to the Vancouver Grizzlies with a 105-96 victory on Saturday night before 13,493 at the Sports Arena.

Forgotten man Rodney Rogers, who has played limited minutes most of the season, came off the bench with a season-high 19 points, seven rebounds and two steals and sparked a fourth-quarter rally for the Clippers, who improved to 9-35.

Vancouver, which got 27 points from Shareef Abdur-Rahim and 22 from former Clipper Tony Massenburg, dropped to 8-37.

But what really impressed Rogers’ teammates was his defense on Abdur-Rahim in the second half.

“This was a big game for Rodney,” Taylor said. “He came in and shut down one of the most talented scorers in the league. [Abdur-Rahim] had 20 points in the first half but scored only seven in the last two quarters.”

After blowing an early first-half lead and trailing Vancouver for much of the second half, the Clippers responded and outscored the Grizzlies, 28-14, over the final 12 minutes.

Maurice Taylor led the Clippers with 25 points and seven rebounds. Eric Piatkowski had 17 points and Tyrone Nesby added 13.

In losing the first three games to Vancouver, the Clippers hurt themselves with poor execution down the stretch.

A week into the season, the Clippers lost by six points at Vancouver. A week later they lost in double overtime to the Grizzlies at the Arrowhead Pond. Last Wednesday, Vancouver won for the third time when the Clippers missed several free throws in the fourth quarter.

That was not the case Saturday night as the Clippers made enough plays to avoid suffering their fifth consecutive defeat to the Grizzlies dating to last season.

The Clippers controlled the tempo for most of first half in taking a 58-52 lead at the break. Taylor, who had a career-high 29 points in the Clippers’ victory over Houston Friday, carried the offense with 12 points, including his first three-point basket of the year.

Abdur-Rahim was Vancouver’s answer for Taylor, and he kept the Grizzlies close by making seven of his first 12 shots and had 20 points at halftime.

Vancouver extended its late first half and outscored the Clippers, 30-10, to take a 70-62 lead midway into the third quarter. But the Clippers rallied behind the hustle and outside shooting of Rogers, who scored 11 of his points in the fourth quarter.