Maggette Has Capital Gains

Welcome back, Corey Maggette.

The Clippers said they missed you and had eagerly anticipated your return, which went well Wednesday night in a 102-97 victory against the Washington Wizards in the MCI Center.

In his first game of the season, Maggette came off the bench to score 20 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, and made several clutch plays that helped the Clippers rally against the previously undefeated Wizards.

“I never expected to play as much as I did and score as much as I did,” said Maggette, who played 24 minutes. “I’m glad they had the confidence in me, coming back for the first game, to do those types of things.”

The veteran forward impressed despite having sat out the Clippers’ first four games because of a hamstring injury, grabbing a timely rebound with 23.9 seconds remaining and converting two free throws to give the Clippers a 100-97 lead.

And the team’s leading scorer from last season also played strong defense in the final seconds against All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas, contributing to Arenas’ turnover that all but sealed the Clippers’ first road victory. Maggette punctuated a big moment for the team, taking a feed from guard Cuttino Mobley and capping the scoring with a dunk that triggered the final celebration on the bench.

Maggette was back, and the Clippers were feeling good.

“To have Corey back ... that’s exactly what I’m talking about,” said forward Elton Brand, who had 31 points and 13 rebounds, tying the franchise record for most games with at least 10 points and 10 rebounds.

“No one goes to the hole as strong and as fearless as Corey Maggette, and he knocks down his free throws. He didn’t miss a beat. He acted like he was there the first four games.”

The Clippers (4-1) won their first three games without Maggette, who strained his left hamstring in practice Oct. 21. Although guard Quinton Ross played well in place of Maggette, especially on defense, the Clippers said an important dimension was missing from their offense.

It appeared to have returned against Washington (3-1).

“He made a big difference for this team, and not just scoring the ball,” said point guard Sam Cassell, who had six points and 10 assists.

“The pressure he puts on the defense, and the way he gets to the free-throw line, we need that. He’s big for this team.”

Maggette started the second quarter and did his best work in the fourth.

Brand -- who matched the record of 181 double-doubles Loy Vaught accumulated from 1990-91 through 1997-98 -- carried the Clippers in the third, scoring 15 of their 19 points. The Clippers often isolated Brand against 7-foot center Brendan Haywood, who apparently wasn’t quick enough for the challenge.

“We thought if they were going to play him with Haywood that that was the matchup for us,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “EB has quickness on those big guys.

“We didn’t really post him up. We just tried to put him in an isolation situation and let him make the play, and I thought he was awesome with it.”

It was Maggette’s turn in the fourth.

His three-point basket gave the Clippers an 87-85 lead with 5 minutes 55 seconds to play, and he made one of two free throws to put them ahead, 94-91, with 2:24 remaining. But the Wizards reclaimed the lead, 95-94, with 1:32 left on consecutive baskets by Jarvis Hayes and Caron Butler, the latter after Butler’s steal on a pass by Chris Kaman.

Maggette made a 23-foot jump shot to give the Clippers a 96-95 lead, and Butler’s shot at the 1:01 mark gave the Wizards their last lead. Mobley’s rebound and layup after Maggette’s miss put the Clippers ahead, 98-97, with 36.5 seconds to go.

Arenas, who missed 16 of 21 shots, missed a jumper that led to Maggette’s being fouled and converting the free throws that extended the Clippers’ lead to three points.