Clippers have to win against Hornets

The Clippers are one game behind the Golden State Warriors for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. A Clippers win coupled with a Golden State loss at Portland would clinch the eighth seed for the Clippers, who would face the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the opening round of the postseason.

On Tuesday, Elton Brand had 21 points and nine rebounds and Tim Thomas added 18 points and eight boards, as the Clippers kept their playoff hopes alive with a 103-99 win over the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center.

Jason Hart ended with 16 points, while Quinton Ross had 15 points and seven rebounds for the Clippers, who have won three of their last four games overall. Corey Maggette posted 13 points and 11 boards, while veteran Sam Cassell contributed 11 points in the victory.

The Clippers are 25-15 as the host this season. They are trying to earn a spot in the Western Conference playoffs for the second straight year. The last time the Clippers appeared in the postseason in consecutive years was in 1992 and 1993.

The Hornets, who will play next season solely in New Orleans, attempt to go into the offseason on a two-game winning streak. On Monday, David West scored 25 points as New Orleans/Oklahoma City edged the Sacramento Kings, 125-118, at ARCO Arena.

Chris Paul finished with 23 points and 12 assists for the Hornets, who snapped an 11-game skid in Sacramento. Devin Brown and Bobby Jackson contributed 20 points apiece in the victory.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City is 14-26 on the road this season. West leads the Hornets in scoring (18.0 ppg), while Tyson Chandler, who is sidelined with bruised left big toe, has grabbed a team-best 12.4 rebounds. Paul has dished out a club-best 8.9 assists per game.

The Clippers are 2-1 against New Orleans/Oklahoma City this season. The Hornets have lost five straight at the Clippers.