Clippers Sail Along With Big Gust of Win

So, that’s how it looks when the Clippers play at their best on the road.

They impressed from the start, thrived throughout and finished strong Friday against the Denver Nuggets, who never recovered in the Clippers’ 105-87 victory at the Pepsi Center.

Power forward Elton Brand set the tone in the Clippers’ fourth consecutive victory and seventh in nine games, scoring 14 of his game-high 33 points in the first quarter.

Brand, who had 10 rebounds in his 25th double-double, also powered the Clippers with an 11-point third quarter as they pulled away from the Nuggets, whose winning streak ended at seven.

Point guard Sam Cassell delivered 25 points and five assists, center Chris Kaman continued his emergence as a 7-foot force, scoring 16 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, and swingman Cuttino Mobley was an all-around contributor with 10 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

The Clippers (24-16) matched their longest winning streak of the season, accomplished twice before, evened their road record at 9-9 against the Northwest Division leaders and moved within a victory of matching last season’s total.

The Clippers said they’re in a good place again after a rough 3-9 stretch, and after Friday’s top-notch performance, who could argue?

“No doubt it, definitely, it was the most complete road victory of the year,” said Brand, who made 14 of 21 field-goal attempts.

“It was a hot team, they had won seven in a row, and they’re a good team. They’re in first place in their division, so it was a good win for us.”

It appeared it could be from the beginning Friday.

Because of Brand’s sizzling start, the Clippers had a 31-26 lead entering the second quarter. He connected on his first six shots from the field and played a part in the Clippers’ first 18 points, scoring 14 to open the game and assisting on Kaman’s consecutive baskets.

Brand finished with 16 points in the first, the most by a Clipper player in a quarter since Brand scored 17 against the Detroit Pistons in a 109-101 loss Dec. 11.

But former Clipper guard Earl Boykins scored 11 of his 13 points in the second, helping the Nuggets remain close, 56-54, at halftime.

Boykins, however, and the other Nuggets could not keep pace with the Clippers in the third as Brand went to work again.

He scored 11 points in the quarter, Cassell had seven, and the Clippers outscored the Nuggets, 22-6, over the final 9:53.

Moreover, the Clippers clamped down on defense, harassing the Nuggets and giving up no field goals after Kenyon Martin’s 17-footer with 10:30 to play. The Nuggets shot 35.8% from the field and 23.1% behind the three-point arc. The Clippers shot 53.9%.

Denver forward Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points, his fifth game in a row with at least 20, but he had to work hard against rookie forward James Singleton, who did his job before fouling out with 3:07 to play.

“Our guys came out and did a great job defensively tonight, as far as contesting shots and not giving up too many easy baskets,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “The last time we were up here, they really hurt us in the open court. We did a much better job of that tonight.”

The Nuggets (25-20) won the first meeting between the teams, 105-95, on Nov. 25 at the Pepsi Center, and the Clippers finished poorly.

They had no such problems this time.

Denver reserve swingman Greg Buckner made two three-point baskets as the Nuggets went on an 8-1 run to open the fourth, cutting the Clippers’ lead to 81-74 with 10:03 remaining. Kaman then scored inside after a nifty move, Cassell made a three-point basket and the Clippers maintained at least a 12-point lead until the final buzzer.

And now the Clippers and Nuggets do it again tonight at Staples Center.

“We came in and we did what we had to do,” Mobley said. “We came in here and we beat them when they’re playing well, so tonight is what it is. But as soon as daylight comes, you’ve got to worry about tomorrow.”