Clippers grab big win over Lakers

Cuttino Mobley added 18 points and seven assists for the Clippers, who won for the seventh time in eight games. They remain 1 1/2-games ahead of Golden State for the eighth and final playoff spot. Denver is one game ahead of the Clippers for seventh.

"We had a great start and built a 19-point lead," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "They made some runs at us, but our guys did a great job in the fourth quarter defensively."

Kobe Bryant had 29 points and seven assists for the Lakers, who hold a precarious half-game lead over the Nuggets for the sixth spot. Lamar Odom tallied 21 points and Luke Walton 13 for the Lakers, who have lost four of five.

"You can see what happens when one team has fresh legs and the other team played last night," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We just sat and watched most of the first half. We made a run at them in the second half, but we just couldn’t keep the momentum going and did not finish well."

Maurice Evans banged in a three-pointer to pull the Lakers within 79-78 with 5:03 left, but Jason Hart sank two foul shots and Chris Kaman’s bucket extended the margin to five points. Kaman hit another free throw and Elton Brand sank a jumper for an 86-78 lead with 3:12 remaining.

Down 86-82, Odom missed a three for the Lakers, and Maggette nailed two foul shots with 1:12 left. Walton then missed a three, and Brand sealed the win for the Clippers with a jumper with under 25.9 seconds left.

Kaman had 17 points and 14 rebounds, while Brand ended with 12 points and 10 boards. Hart had 14 points.

The Clippers led 28-22 after the opening 12 minutes and scored the first 11 of the second quarter, on the way to a 57-42 advantage at the half. The Lakers were within 75-69 going into the fourth.

Game Notes

The Clippers held a 45-35 advantage on the glass...The Lakers lead the season series, 2-1, with the final meeting coming April 12.