Kittles Can’t Stop Clipper Slide

Just as he said, Kerry Kittles was back before Thanksgiving.

The Clipper shooting guard, traded from the New Jersey Nets in July but consigned to the injured list because of a sore right knee, had told his new teammates to expect him back on the floor before the holiday.

And there he was Sunday, entering a game against the Phoenix Suns to loud cheers at Staples Center with 2:27 to play in the first quarter.

Unfortunately for Kittles, a seven-year starter with the Nets, he was about to discover that life with the Clippers, at least in terms of wins and losses, might not be as enjoyable as it was with the Eastern Conference’s 2002 and 2003 champions.

The Suns, fueled by the inside-out firepower of NBA scoring leader Amare Stoudemire and league assist leader Steve Nash, soon put together a game-turning 25-2 second-quarter run, turning a nine-point deficit into a 14-point lead and sparking a 122-111 victory in front of 17,077.

The Clippers never got closer than six points the rest of the way, though a unit that included Kittles made a spirited fourth-quarter run.

The Suns, leaders of the Pacific Division with an 8-2 record, established Clipper-opponent season highs in points, points in a half (63) and points in a quarter (39), as well as field-goal shooting (53.7%) and number of three-point field goals (11). It sent the Clippers to their third consecutive loss.

Stoudemire, who picked up two quick fouls and sat out much of the first quarter, scored 33 points in 34 minutes, making 14 of 23 shots. Nash scored 22 on eight-of-10 shooting and had 18 assists. Joe Johnson scored 23 points, making five of six three-point shots, and Shawn Marion had 22 points and 14 rebounds.

For the Clippers, who at 5-6 are below .500 for the first time, Marko Jaric had 19 points and 10 assists, Mikki Moore a career-high 18 points in 19 minutes, and Elton Brand 17 points and nine rebounds. Bobby Simmons also scored 17 points.

Coach Mike Dunleavy, looking on the bright side, said the Clippers had played well in the first and fourth quarters.

“But in between obviously wasn’t very good,” he added. “That second quarter we broke down defensively, and they did what they can do.”

What the Suns can do is get hot from long range.

Led by Marion and former Clipper Quentin Richardson, who each had two, the Suns made six of eight three-point shots in the second quarter, 65.2% of their shots overall and outscored the Clippers, 39-21, to open a 63-50 halftime lead.

Nash, who left the Dallas Mavericks last summer to sign with the Suns as a free agent, had seven points and six assists in the quarter.

“Nash is the key for them,” Dunleavy said. “People talk about the MVP and you see Stoudemire’s name out there ... but in my mind it’s Nash. Nash is what makes them go. If you can’t score on the plays he’s creating for you, you’re not going to be able to score, period. He’s been giving everybody fits.”

For the Clippers, the most encouraging news came before the game when they learned that Kittles was ready to play.

Limited physically after arthroscopic surgery in June, he had resumed practicing only last Monday.

“I felt as though my timing definitely was off, which is to be expected since I hadn’t played” since the Nets played Detroit last season in the second round of the playoffs, he said.

Kittles made one of four shots and scored two points in 24 minutes.

“The leg feels pretty good right now,” Kittles added. “It’s just a matter of getting my rhythm back on the court, learning how to play with these guys.”

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Simmons had made 24 consecutive free throws before missing in the fourth quarter. The Clipper forward ranks among the NBA leaders at 95.1%, having missed only two of 41 free throws. ... Richardson, mired in an early season slump, missed eight of 11 shots and is at 30.3% after 10 games. “I think the biggest thing for me is, my teammates are playing well enough that we’re still winning,” the Sun forward said. “Once I get it going, we’re going to be that much better.” ... To make room for Kittles on the active roster, rookie Lionel Chalmers was put on the injured list -- because of tendinitis in his left knee, the Clippers announced.