Clippers’ Sails Catch a Breeze

The Clippers on Wednesday accomplished what the Lakers could not Tuesday, setting up the most intriguing matchup Friday between Staples Center’s basketball-playing tenants since ...

Well, since the Clippers were toiling at the musty and dusty Sports Arena and the Lakers were at the not-so-Great Western Forum, that’s for sure.

The Clippers’ 114-94 demolition Wednesday of the Seattle SuperSonics before a crowd of 15,840 was many things at many times. Most of all, it was another statement that there are definitely two teams worth watching at Staples.

By now it has become apparent that it’s a chore figuring out the Lakers in early-season games. Using the SuperSonics as a measuring stick, it’s no contest as to which team--the Clippers or the Lakers--is playing better entering Friday.

The Clippers’ comprehensive victory Wednesday was their third consecutive and seventh in nine games. The Lakers lost Tuesday to the SuperSonics, 104-93, their second defeat in a row.

Just because they play in the same arena doesn’t mean they have been in the same league the last few seasons. The Clippers (12-10) have pretty much been a civic disgrace since last making the playoffs in 1996-97. The Lakers (16-3) have won consecutive NBA championships.

Will anything change Friday?

“Everybody makes a big deal about it,” Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry said. “It’s just another game. We win and it counts as one victory. They win and it counts as one victory. What it is is a barometer of where your team is. The last two years, everybody has judged their team by the Lakers.

“I think it’s great for the city of L.A. But we’ve got to get to the point where we can compete against those guys night in and night out. People have talked about a rivalry, but we’ve got to win some games against them before it becomes a rivalry.”

Against Seattle, the Clippers looked invincible in building a 25-point halftime lead. Quentin Richardson had 13 of his game-high 23 points in the first half, when the Clippers built a 70-45 lead by shredding Seattle from inside and out.

By game’s end, Jeff McInnis had 19 points, Elton Brand 18, Corey Maggette 17 and Lamar Odom 15. But the critical plays were all made in the first half.

“Great first half,” Brand said. “It was a total team effort. Defense. Offense. I think that’s nine out of 10 teams [actually eight of nine] we’ve held under 100 points. I know everyone talks about our dunks and the plays on the highlights, but we’re also playing some solid defense.”

Granted, the SuperSonics had played and won Tuesday against the Lakers. But Seattle seemed out of sync from the start and the Clippers, sensing the SuperSonics’ vulnerability--physically and emotionally--took advantage.

Seattle had no one to match up against Odom, for instance. The SuperSonics also had no one to keep tabs on Maggette.

Odom had nine points, five rebounds and five assists in the half and Maggette had 17 points (on seven-of-nine shooting), four rebounds and four assists. The Clippers shot 61.7% (29 of 47) in the half to 37.2% (16 of 43) for Seattle.

Was it any wonder the Clippers scored a season-high 70 points by the end of 24 minutes? Of course not, but particularly when Seattle made such bone-headed plays as the one by Art Long in the closing seconds of the half.

Richardson had received the ball on left wing and, with the seconds ticking past, he launched a three-point attempt that appeared to be well short of the mark. But Long reached out at the last possible moment to bail out Richardson.

When Long got his hands on the ball before it reached the rim, he was whistled for goaltending. It was a gift hoop and Richardson was credited with the 68th, 69th and 70th points of the half for the Clippers.

“I have no explanation,” Seattle Coach Nate McMillan said of his team’s collapse a night after beating the Lakers. “How can you play a good game one night and play so bad only 24 hours later?”

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IT FEELS LIKE HOME

With a split on back-to-back nights against the Lakers and Clippers, Seattle is 8-2 in Staples Center since its opening:

1999-2000 SEASON

Nov. 2, 1999Seattle 104, Clippers 92

Dec. 4, 1999Seattle 102, Clippers 89

Jan. 17, 2000Seattle 82, Lakers 81

April 10, 2000Lakers 106, Seattle 103 (OT)

*

2000-01 SEASON

Nov. 18, 2000Seattle 86, Clippers 83

Dec. 8, 2000Seattle 103, Lakers 95

Jan. 24, 2001Seattle 114, Clippers 110 (OT)

March 11, 2001Seattle 109, Lakers 97 (OT)

*

2001-02 SEASON

Dec. 11, 2001Seattle 104, Lakers 93

Dec. 12, 2001Clippers 114, Seattle 94

Note: Seattle is 5-4 at home against the Lakers and Clippers in this timeframe.