Miller Inspires Clipper Upset

The Clippers certainly didn’t lack for inspiration Saturday. They set their jaws and they chased the Sacramento Kings from one end of the court to the other. Their fortunes soared and dipped, but their resolve never faltered.

They took their cue from point guard Andre Miller, who had lost his stepfather, Albert Robinson, to cancer Friday. Miller phoned Coach Alvin Gentry on Saturday morning, asking for permission to miss the shoot-around. He said he was uncertain about playing Saturday.

When the game began, Miller was in the starting lineup. He would play 41 minutes, scoring 14 points with six assists and badgering Sacramento’s Mike Bibby from start to finish of the Clippers’ 112-107 victory over the Pacific Division-leading Kings before a sellout crowd of 20,037 at Staples Center.

Miller made two free throws with 34.8 seconds to play and two more with 17.6 remaining to help seal the Clippers’ third victory in their last 11 games. It was the Kings’ first loss in 25 games when leading after three quarters.

Elton Brand had a season-best 34 points and took 15 rebounds. Lamar Odom added 24 points.

Miller dressed and left immediately after the game to be with his mother, Andrea Robinson.

“Obviously, it’s a tough situation for him,” Gentry said. “It was difficult for him to come and play tonight. His stats aren’t impressive, but the fact that he was here and playing is something. Our guys know what he means to our team.”

Miller has sat out only two games in his four-season career, once earlier this season after spraining his right ankle Nov. 29 against the Kings and once last season after suffering a dislocated shoulder while a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“It’s a credit to Andre Miller’s character that he was here,” Corey Maggette said. “He played even though he had a burden on him. He called me today and said he didn’t know if would play tonight. Even though he wanted to be with his mom, it shows how much he cares about our team.”

Peja Stojakovic led the Kings with 37 points on 16-for-22 shooting, but he missed two three-point attempts in the closing seconds. Odom and Maggette, who scored 21 points, were powerless to stop Stojakovic until the end.

“Man, we couldn’t do anything with Peja tonight,” Maggette said. “I’m in his face. Lamar’s in his face. He’s hitting tough shots.”

The Clippers started with their hearts and minds in the right places Saturday, a far cry from their lifeless showing in Wednesday’s 31-point loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. They trailed, 29-28, after one quarter and were within striking distance at 54-48 by halftime. They trailed, 84-80, to start the fourth quarter.

Quentin Richardson’s three-point basket with 2:20 to play gave the Clippers a 101-99 lead. Although they were tied at 101-all and 105-all, they never trailed again. Miller’s four free throws in the final 34.8 seconds gave them a 109-105 lead.

Gentry altered his rotation a bit, playing Marko Jaric in the first half, but not in the second. Richardson didn’t enter the game until late in the third quarter. He had eight points, the only points the Clippers’ reserves scored.

Brand kept the Clippers close in the first half, scoring 21 points on seven-for-eight shooting. He also made seven of eight free throws, showing a newfound aggressiveness around the basket.

The Clippers also benefited from the Kings’ willingness to play them straight up, rather than double- and triple-teaming Brand and center Michael Olowokandi in the low post.

The Clippers still didn’t get much done from the perimeter in the early going, but for once in a long while there was room to operate in the paint, and Brand took full advantage.

“I thought this was the way we could play for most of the year, but we haven’t,” Gentry said. “I hope this will give us some inspiration and some confidence. I hope we take this game and develop some kind of consistency.”