Clippers Brand Knicks With Loss

Their game has been so filled with imperfections for so long that it was easy to overlook the Clippers’ many shortcomings Saturday against the equally disjointed New York Knicks. This was simply standard operating procedure.

Besides, at this point, why overanalyze a 109-98 victory before an energetic crowd of 18,596 at Staples Center? After all, it was only the Clippers’ 24th victory in the 76th game of this lost season of 2002-03.

So, while the Clippers’ season-ending countdown continued, at least they could show their many fans that they haven’t yet given up. Elton Brand went for 29 points on 13-for-20 shooting with eight rebounds in 41 minutes.

The Clippers outshot the Knicks by 55.8% to 38.5%.

Wang Zhizhi’s three-point basket with 5:28 left in the second quarter gave the Clippers the lead for good, 43-42. The Knicks were within 96-94, but Andre Miller made a three-point basket to send the Clippers on a 13-4 run to end the game.

Brand torched the Knicks for 17 points on 10-for-17 shooting in the first quarter, but the Clippers didn’t get much beyond Brand’s short hooks and jump shots and trailed, 32-27. They moved ahead by halftime, 54-49, though Brand had only two points in the second quarter.

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UP NEXT

Tuesday at Memphis, 5 p.m. PDT -- The Clippers have won two of three this season against the Grizzlies, including a 102-100 victory March 30 at Staples Center. This is the first game in a five-game trip.