Maggette leads Clippers past Blazers

11.7.2006

Los Angeles, CA (Basketball News) - Corey Maggette led a balanced Los Angeles attack with 20 points and nine rebounds, as the Clippers topped the Portland Trail Blazers, 102-89, at the Staples Center.

Cuttino Mobley added 17 points and Sam Cassell tallied 16 and seven assists for the Clippers, who won their third straight since a season-opening loss at Phoenix.

Chris Kaman tallied 15 points and nine boards, and Quinton Ross had 13 points and seven assists, as the Clippers beat Portland for a fifth straight time.

"It wasn’t a masterpiece, but it was a win," Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy said. "We forced some turnovers. We had five guys in double figures and two with eight. We did enough good things overall."

The Blazers held Elton Brand to eight points, but he did have five blocks.

"I didn’t do much tonight," Brand said. "It’s not fatigue. It’s tough to beat double and triple-teams. When the opportunity is there, I’ll hit them. I was still able to rebound and block shots. The bottom line is winning."

Zach Randolph had another strong contest with 35 points, two off his career- high, and pulled down 13 rebounds, but the Blazers lost two nights after edging Minnesota.

Jarrett Jack finished with 17 points and Ime Udoka ended with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Portland was within two points at 61-59 after a three-point play by Randolph with 3:55 left in the third. However, the Clippers scored the next eight points. Shaun Livingston had a jam and Maggette’s two free throws finished the spurt with 1:32 remaining in the quarter.

LA was ahead 71-60 going into the fourth and put the game away by scoring the first seven points of the final period. Maggette’s running jam capped the rally and Portland never got closer than nine points the rest of the way.

Jack’s layup near the end of the first quarter had the Blazers ahead, 22-20, after 12 minutes. Portland led by five early in the second quarter, but the Clippers rallied to grab a 46-42 edge at the half.

Kaman’s three-point play capped five straight for the Clippers for a 53-45 advantage early in the third and a Ross jumper put LA ahead by double digits at 57-47.

Game Notes

The Blazers were 2-of-13 from three-point range...LA outrebounded Portland, 45-38.

LAC POR

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