Johnson Isn’t Behind Eight-Ball Anymore

Dennis Johnson is winless as an NBA coach no more.

The Clippers ended an eight-game skid -- their longest losing streak of the season -- and gave Johnson his first victory as their head coach with a 103-97 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.

“I actually thought I had it the other day when I took over a game from Alvin [Gentry],” Johnson said. “But that one went to him. This is the first one.”

Corey Maggette scored 25 points and Quentin Richardson added 21.

It was the first win on the road for the Clippers since Feb. 11, when they defeated the Suns at Phoenix, 107-106. The Clippers lost their first three games with Johnson as their head coach and hadn’t won since Feb. 19, when they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 110-104, at Staples Center.

Jalen Rose scored 30 points and Eddy Curry had 26 for Chicago, which has lost four of five.

Bull Coach Bill Cartwright has been upset with the Chicago defense all season, and after the game he let his frustrations show.

“It had nothing to do with our offense. Our offense is fine,” Cartwright said. “It has been fine all year. Turn around and guard somebody. Turn around and put your body on somebody. Play some defense. Dive on a loose ball. Take a charge. Block a shot. We are averaging 93 points a game. It is plenty.”

Chicago could only get within four points in the second half, once when Jay Williams made a three-point basket with 52 seconds left, making it 97-93, and again when Donyell Marshall made a layup with 16.4 seconds left.

Rookie Chris Wilcox had 12 points and six rebounds for the Clippers.

The Clippers pulled away in the second quarter by going on a 14-2 run. Richardson made a three-point basket to cut Chicago’s lead to one at 40-39. Wilcox ended the run with a basket that gave the Clippers a nine-point cushion at 51-42 with 3:23 left in the second quarter.

The Clippers led, 59-47, at the half. Richardson scored 14 second-quarter points.