Cassell Carries Load in Opener

Sam Cassell says good times have arrived for the Clippers regardless of what skeptics might think, and he plans to convince the NBA one victory at a time.

The Seattle SuperSonics noticed some changes Wednesday night as the Clippers rallied behind their brash new veteran point guard for a 101-93 victory at Key Arena in their season opener.

With the Clippers short-handed because of injuries to key players, Cassell, who turns 36 on Nov. 18, had 35 points and 11 assists in 41 minutes. He made a series of clutch shots down the stretch -- including three of his four three-point baskets -- as the Clippers overcame a 13-point deficit early in the final quarter.

His efforts, combined with major contributions from the bench, enabled the Clippers to start the season on a high note despite playing without forward Corey Maggette (strained left hamstring), backup point guard Shaun Livingston (back injury) and reserve forward Walter McCarty (cut right thumb).

Cassell refused to make excuses -- and the Clippers followed his lead.

“Like I’ve been saying the whole training camp, this is not going to be the old Clippers from the past,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of intangibles and we’re going to play hard for 48 minutes, and the game went our way today.”

In large part because of Cassell.

“Sam was a monster,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “That’s what he does -- he makes big shots.

“We set him up with a couple of shots out of timeouts that he drills. Then at the end of the game when he wanted to ice the ball, Sam iced it. Just incredible.”

General Manager Elgin Baylor agreed.

“Oh, man, just fantastic,” Baylor said. “Every time we needed a big shot from Sam, he was right there and ready to deliver.

“Really, that’s what Sam has done his whole career. It’s what we thought we would see from Sam, but it just wasn’t the big shots he hit.

“It was also his leadership with a lot of our younger guys, who were out there getting a chance because of injuries. Sam was really a leader.”

Rookie forward James Singleton missed only one shot in eight attempts, scoring 14 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and providing defensive energy.

Rookie guard Daniel Ewing also impressed at times, scoring eight points and making key plays to help secure the victory as the Clippers outscored the SuperSonics, 37-18, in the fourth quarter. Forward Elton Brand had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Quinton Ross, filling in for Maggette, contributed 10 points.

“I made shots tonight, but don’t give me all this credit,” Cassell said. “My young fellow, James Singleton, played big for us.

“Elton ... just a warrior. He kept balls alive. Q Ross hit shots for us. We won the basketball game, everyone in this locker room contributed and everyone in here is happy. That’s what I’ve been talking about.”

Early on, it appeared the Clippers would return to Los Angeles unhappy.

The SuperSonics raced to a 16-4 lead, but Dunleavy made defensive adjustments and the Clippers listened.

They pulled even at halftime at 50, but quickly regressed in the third quarter.

Behind guard Ray Allen, who scored 31 points while making five three-pointers, the SuperSonics took a 75-64 lead after three quarters.

“We were brain dead in the first quarter,” Dunleavy said. “Our coverages were all messed up. Then in that third quarter they outworked us.”

The Clippers regained their edge in the fourth, using a 12-0 run to pull within 77-76 on Ewing’s two free throws with 8:16 left. They took their first lead on Ross’ two free throws with 7:23 left, and Cassell scored 15 in the final quarter as the Clippers pulled away.

“I don’t know too much about what went on here in the last couple of years, I’m in my first year in the NBA, but this is a great bunch of guys,” Singleton said. “We have a lot of guys who can do things, and we’ve got Sam.”