Mobley helps Clippers down Blazers

Quinton Ross scored 17 points and Jason Hart had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Clippers, who moved into a tie with Denver for the seventh seed in the Western Conference. LA also moved two games ahead of the ninth-seeded Golden State Warriors.

Clippers guard Sam Cassell left the game in the second quarter with back spasms and did not return.

Brandon Roy scored 23 points and Raef LaFrentz added 15 off the bench for the Trail Blazers, who have lost four in a row.

Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge left the game in the first quarter with dizziness and was taken to a local hospital.

Holding a 21-16 lead with 3 1/2 minutes left in the first quarter, the Clippers closed the quarter out on a 17-2 spurt, capped by Mobley’s three at the buzzer, to grab a 38-18 advantage. LA built on its lead in the second quarter and carried a 65-39 lead into the locker room.

Portland showed some life in the second half, scoring the last 10 points of the third quarter to pull within 83-66. A Travis Outlaw jumper brought the Trail Blazers within 13 early in the fourth quarter, but Portland was unable to seriously threaten LA down the stretch.

Game Notes

Tim Thomas scored 13 points off the bench for LA, while Chris Kaman had nine points, 10 rebounds and a career-high seven assists...Outlaw and Jamaal Magloire each scored 13 points for Portland.