Clippers Show Big Elevation

Facing the San Antonio Spurs presents challenges, and the Clippers haven’t responded well to less-stressful situations recently.

Perhaps they simply needed more motivation.

Playing inspired against one of the NBA’s elite, the Clippers got it together again Tuesday night in a 98-85 victory at Staples Center.

Following the lead of Elton Brand and Sam Cassell, the Clippers ended a two-game slide and an eight-game losing streak to a team tied for the best record in the Western Conference.

Brand scored a game-high 30 points, had nine rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots while outplaying the Spurs’ Tim Duncan, who finished with 16 points, seven assists and seven rebounds, in a matchup of All-Star power forwards.

“Elton Brand, of course, was incredible tonight,” Duncan said. “It seemed like he didn’t miss a shot out there.”

Cassell, who suffered a dislocated left pinky finger in the first half, had 15 points and 11 assists. He scored six points as the Clippers closed the third quarter on a 15-4 run, taking a 10-point lead (69-59) that expanded to as many as 18 in the fourth.

The Clippers (34-25) also got 15 points from Chris Kaman, 11 from Cuttino Mobley and a big boost from Quinton Ross.

Ross’ defense against the Spurs’ perimeter players -- point guard Tony Parker in particular -- was a major factor in the Clippers’ getting things turned around on defense after consecutive poor performances against the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies.

The Clippers limited the Spurs to 44.2% shooting while ending their winning streak at seven games. San Antonio (47-13) and the Dallas Mavericks are tied for the best record in the Western Conference, and the Clippers showed they could compete with the best when they play their best.

“I just told my guys, ‘Let’s attack and see what happens,’ ” Cassell said. “The last couple of games, we didn’t attack. We came out with a lackadaisical attitude, but we did everything we had to do tonight. It was a big win for us.”

Cassell had a rough time in the first half, suffering the injury and missing four of five shots. The 13-year veteran wasn’t fazed, however, popping his finger back into place and going to work in the third.

With his left hand wrapped and wearing a protective glove, Cassell scored 12 points in the second half.

“They [medical personnel] said I couldn’t hurt it any worse, so I just went out and played basketball,” he said. “My finger hurt, but this was a game we had to have.”

Ross took a similar approach.

Because of his lower back problems, the Clippers have limited their best perimeter defender to 25 minutes since he returned to the lineup March 3 against the Jazz. On Tuesday, Ross played 27 minutes.

The Spurs’ wing players are considered to be among the best in the NBA, so Coach Mike Dunleavy played Ross past the team-imposed limit and Ross delivered.

He chased Parker, who often settled for long jumpers, and helped on other players outside and inside. He twice blocked Parker’s shots and also connected on his four field-goal attempts.

Although Parker led the Spurs with 20 points, Ross did his job.

“Obviously, they’re good,” Dunleavy said. “They have speed, quickness and three-point shooting.

“A big key is stopping Parker first.”

Brand had 19 points in the first half, the Clippers were active on defense and Duncan played only seven minutes because of foul trouble, but the Clippers trailed, 43-42, at halftime.

Manu Ginobili, who finished with 15 points, seemed to get into the lane whenever he wanted, and Michael Finley and Beno Udrih combined for 16 points off the bench to help compensate for Duncan’s absence from the court for much of the half.

“They did a very good job on Timmy, and made it difficult for us to find people,” Spur Coach Gregg Popovich said. “They were real aggressive, and that fueled some of their offense.”