Clippers Are Comeback Kids in Win

Confidence isn’t among the Clippers’ shortcomings these days, and it’s building with each historic step to start this season.

The Clippers believe they’ll win no matter the circumstances, and they overcame many obstacles Wednesday night in a 103-100 victory over the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center.

Forward Corey Maggette scored a game-high 30 points, including 15 of 17 free throws, as the Clippers (9-2) continued their best start in franchise history and improved to 5-0 at home.

Maggette made three free throws in the last 7.1 seconds to help the Clippers secure their fourth straight victory despite having been outplayed for most of the game by the Raptors (1-11), who got 24 points from forward Chris Bosh.

The Clippers trailed by 12 points in the first half, had only four offensive rebounds to 15 for the Raptors and were repeatedly hurt by Toronto’s penetration into the lane. The Raptor bench also outscored Clipper reserves, 35-6. Forward Charlie Villanueva had 18 points.

The Clippers, however, found a way in the end, and that’s what Coach Mike Dunleavy cared about most.

“Tremendous,” Dunleavy said. “I’m proud of our guys for not giving up. Win or lose this game, they played their hearts out all the way down.

“We had that last year, our guys played hard, I really believe that. But this year, we’re changing the outcomes of these close games by making some bigger plays and bigger stops at the end.”

Maggette and forward Elton Brand made some of the biggest as the Clippers tightened their defense down the stretch.

For the second game in a row, Dunleavy went to a 2-3 matchup zone late in the fourth quarter in an attempt to slow the Raptors, who made eight of 24 three-point attempts. Maggette had two blocked shots and ignited the Clippers’ late charge.

Center Chris Kaman’s seven-foot hook shot gave the Clippers the lead for good, 100-99, with 1 minute 12 seconds to play. Brand had 21 points, 13 rebounds -- his fifth consecutive double-double -- and matched his season high with six blocked shots.

Kaman and guard Cuttino Mobley scored 10 points apiece, and point guard Sam Cassell had 26 points, nine assists and only two turnovers.

Cassell led the way again, Dunleavy said.

“In the fourth quarter, I took him out to try to give him some type of a rest, and he said, ‘No, I’m ready to go,’ ” Dunleavy said. “He was great.”

Cassell’s leadership has extended beyond the court.

The 12-year veteran said he had seen many talented teams lose focus because players spent too much time in the media spotlight. The Clippers’ fast start has stirred interest nationally, increasing the celebrity status of top performers such as Brand and Maggette.

That’s fine, Cassell said, but he’s taking the lead in helping the Clippers to keep their focus on the court.

“There are some things that we have to do, but there are some things I’m not going to allow us to do,” he said. “I’m going to eliminate that stuff as much as possible. I’m not talking about the beat guys, because we’re always going to take care of our beat guys.

“I’m talking about some of the rinky-dink stuff. Some publications you never even heard of. Corey and Elton haven’t really received that national coverage, so they should do some of it. But you don’t have to do everything.

“You have to keep time for yourself. You still have to have that hunger at game time. My job is to keep the guys upbeat and keep them focused.”

Brand said Cassell’s steadying influence has helped during a time of increased attention and expectations.

“It does concern me a little bit, because the expectations could get so high,” Brand said. “Everybody expects you to do this and do that, but you’re going to have your bad days, every team does.

“All of that is also a challenge for us too. You don’t want the people who said the Clippers can’t do it to be right. You don’t want them to be able to say, ‘See, we told you the Clippers wouldn’t make the playoffs.’

“All the other stuff, the attention, only comes if you win. It’s definitely a double-edged sword, but you’d rather have it this way. Things are definitely different right now.”