Clippers Have New Slide Rules

The slide probably would have continued in the past, spiraling out of control and ruining another season.

History, though, is of no interest to these Clippers, who ended a three-game losing streak Saturday with an 89-81 victory over the Houston Rockets at Staples Center.

“We’ve got vets now who know how to get out of tight situations,” said guard Cuttino Mobley, who scored 18 points. “When you’re young, and you’re on a losing streak, you start feeling sorry for yourself. The day is gloomy and this and that. Hey, life goes on and games go on.

“They’re going to keep playing them while you’re sulking, poking your lip out, so you’ve got to let it go and win the next one. There are teams that do that -- good teams -- and I think we’re one of the best teams in the league. Not trying to be cocky, but I just think it is what it is.”

The Clippers (15-8) limited the Rockets to 39.2% shooting while ending a nine-game losing streak against Houston, spanning three seasons, improved to 10-2 on their home court and remained atop the Pacific Division.

The Rockets (9-13), last in the Southwest Division, had won five in a row, including the first four games of a six-game trip that ends here tonight against the Lakers.

“The Clippers lead the league in field-goal percentage defense, so you have to give them credit,” Houston Coach Jeff Van Gundy said. “They made it harder on our best players.”

With some players ill or injured, the Clippers received a needed boost from their bench. They got 11 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots from forward-center Chris Wilcox and 10 assists from point guard Shaun Livingston, playing in only his second game this season.

“I told [Wilcox] before we got in, let’s try to get easy buckets,” said Livingston, who sat out the team’s first 21 games because of a stress reaction in his lower back.

“It’s hard enough when you’ve got only 24 seconds to get a shot up, so let’s get some easy ones. That’s what I pride myself in bringing, and with that comes energy.”

Forward Elton Brand overcame flu-like symptoms while playing more than 39 minutes. Brand again took the lead down the stretch, scoring nine of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, including six straight as the Clippers opened their biggest lead to that point, 82-75, with 3:13 left to play.

“I felt pretty bad, but the show must go on,” said Brand, who also had nine rebounds and is leading the Clippers with averages of 25 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks.

“We have guys out and [Mobley] is just getting over his bug, so I knew no matter what, I had to play. I looked at the clock and told myself, ‘Hey, you’ve got about 7:50 to go and then you can go home and rest, so let’s get this done.’ ”

Point guard Sam Cassell made his usual clutch shots and sharp passes en route to 22 points and eight assists with no turnovers, and guard Quinton Ross’ eight points were a bonus in addition to his workhorse defensive effort against Houston swingman Tracy McGrady.

McGrady tormented the Clippers for 25 first-half points, but the All-Star scored only four points after halftime while missing 10 of 12 field-goal attempts. Although Ross was the primary defender against McGrady, Livingston and Mobley also took turns.

“We had many bodies to kind of wear him out, and I even heard him say he was tired a little bit out there,” Brand said. “It was 2 p.m., so I’m sure that’s because of the defensive effort.”

Said McGrady: “I didn’t have any energy, lift on my jumper or explosiveness going to the basket. I was running in mud.”

Center Chris Kaman was seemingly stuck in something as well, but having to guard 7-foot-6, 310-pound Houston center Yao Ming would be enough to ruin anyone’s Saturday afternoon.

Yao outscored Kaman, 22-1, and outrebounded him, 7-3, so Wilcox’s performance was especially important.

“E.B. [Brand] wasn’t feeling well before the game, and we’ve got other guys out, so it’s time for other guys to step up,” said Wilcox, who matched his personal best in rebounds. “I did a great job of coming off the bench and giving us energy. That’s what we needed.”

His teammates agreed.

“When [Wilcox] gives us a game like that,” Mobley said, “it’s going to be hard for teams to beat us.”