Stand and Deliverance

It may be time to discuss the Clippers’ supposed lack of postseason experience in the past tense, because this isn’t the same bunch that began this journey.

They’ve learned from their mistakes, responded to challenges and are still standing strong after a 118-106 victory Thursday night over the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center.

The Clippers put it all together in staving off elimination and evening the best-of-seven series, 3-3, rebounding from a physically and emotionally draining double-overtime loss in Game 5 at Phoenix.

Now, the Clippers get a three-day break before returning to the desert for a decisive Game 7 on Monday at US Airways Center.

In the seventh game of best-of-seven series, teams with home-court advantage have won 81.7% of the time.

And the Suns traveled this path recently, having routed the Lakers in the seventh game of their first-round series.

Of course, the Lakers aren’t the Clippers.

The Clippers are going deeper into uncharted postseason territory, and they’re eager to face the next big challenge.

“We have no fear of the road,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “Somebody asked me about days off.... I don’t even want any days off. We’re ready to play wherever or whenever ... whatever the circumstances.

“They’re a really good team, and we really respect them, but we know it’s going to come down to which team plays on that day. Whose will is going to be asserted? I know one thing: My guys were always confident we could get here.”

Apparently, much more so than some in the organization, who were ready to wave white flags after the Suns outlasted the Clippers, 125-118, in double overtime Tuesday night.

Dunleavy, the coaching staff and players were not among them, remaining steadfast in their belief that they’re good enough to win the series despite having to play Game 7 on the Suns’ home court.

“No doubt, we definitely feel like this is where we belong, that we can compete with anybody that’s left in the playoffs,” said power forward Elton Brand, who scored 30 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked five shots. “Everybody knows that a lot of this is new for a lot of guys on this team, myself included, but our confidence never really wavered. We always believed we could play well tonight and defend our home court, and we did.”

It was an efficient group effort. The Clippers led by as many as 17 points in the second half. They shot 61.5% from the field, limited the high-scoring Suns to 43.7% shooting and outrebounded them, 48-28.

“We just couldn’t stop them,” Suns Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “I don’t know if it’s energy, but they played well. Give them credit, they played a good game.”

Brand again provided a solid foundation, teaming with center Chris Kaman (15 points, 10 rebounds) to control things inside.

“We dropped two games to them we should have won,” Kaman said. “Tonight, we played well the whole game, just solid.”

Swingman Corey Maggette shined in a supporting role off the bench, scoring 25 points, grabbing eight rebounds and playing outstanding defense.

Point guard Sam Cassell had 15 points and a team-high eight assists, and defensive specialist Quinton Ross contributed a career-high 18 points while also helping to contain Suns point guard Steve Nash.

Nash had 17 points and 11 assists, but missed 10 of 16 shots. Forward Shawn Marion scored a game-high 34 points for the Suns, and guard Leandro Barbosa had 25 off the bench, but forward Tim Thomas had only three points on one-for-six shooting.

And now, the Suns return home in an attempt to become the first NBA team to win at least two seven-game series in one postseason since the Dallas Mavericks accomplished the feat in the 2003 playoffs. Phoenix’s starting backcourt of Nash and Raja Bell were members of that team.

“We’re exactly where we want to be: Game 7 in our building,” Bell said. “That’s what we play for.”