Clippers Come From Ahead for Another Defeat : They Build an 18-Point Lead, but the SuperSonics Rally for a 113-107 Victory

SEATTLE —  No lead is too big for the Clippers to blow.

The Clippers had an 18-point lead over the Seattle SuperSonics in the third quarter of their game Friday night.

You can imagine what happened next.

The Sonics blitzed the Clippers, 34-15, in the fourth period en route to a 113-107 victory before 6,353 fans at the Seattle Center Coliseum.

The Clippers shot 27.7% from the floor in the fourth quarter, hitting only 5 of 18 shots.

“We went cold at the wrong time,” Clipper Coach Don Chaney said. “We allowed them to take the momentum in the fourth quarter. I think the difference was a 34-15 fourth quarter.

“I think it’s all about knowing how to win. We’re getting there, but we haven’t gotten there yet.”

The Clippers (4-22) have lost seven straight games and 19 of 20 going into tonight’s game against the Boston Celtics at the Sports Arena.

Tom Chambers, an ex-Clipper, led the Sonics with 27 points before fouling out. Guard Dale Ellis added 24 points.

Ellis was at his best in the fourth quarter, when he scored 14 points. With the Sonics leading, 103-102, with 2:49 left, Ellis sank two free throws to give Seattle a 105-102 lead.

Seattle shot 52.6% from the field in the fourth period, making 10 of 19 shots.

Xavier McDaniel added 17 points for Seattle, and center Alton Lister had 14 points and 17 rebounds.

Former Laker Maurice Lucas came off the bench to score 13 points in 20 minutes. Lucas made two key free throws with 32 seconds left to give Seattle a 111-107 lead.

“Lucas did the little things,” Seattle Coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. “He hit the boards, passed, shot and had the leadership that helps us win close games. He really helped us down the stretch.

“Our team showed good character tonight. We really hung in there. The Clippers really played well against us. Some teams just match up well against us. But they played us hard.

“We moved the ball when we got down and didn’t force the shots and that’s why we came back. We have a young team and they have trouble continuing to play when we aren’t getting the calls.”

The Clippers broke a 12-game losing streak with a 101-94 win over Seattle on Dec. 10 at the Sports Arena. It was the last game the Clippers won.

“We seem to bring out the best in them, that’s for sure,” Chambers said.

The Sonics thought they had a chance when they trailed by 18 points.

“That was a long way to go,” Seattle guard Danny Young said. “That was an eternity in the NBA.” Said reserve Sonic guard Kevin Williams, who sealed the win by sinking two free throws with 19 seconds left: “We weren’t pushing the ball up the court. Once we started to push the ball up the court and rebound and play good defense, we were able to make a move on them.”

Forward Cedric Maxwell scored 24 points to lead the Clippers. Center Benoit Benjamin added 21 points, 6 rebounds and blocked 3 shots.

“It was just the same old story,” Maxwell said. “You should just stick a tape recorder in front of me and press a button like they did on ‘Mission: Impossible.’ Our mission is to self-destruct.”

Benjamin, in a season-long slump, had one of his best games despite the Clippers’ fourth-period collapse.

“I think we were starting to force shots in the fourth quarter,” Benjamin said. “We took bad shots at the wrong time.

“I just went out and played relaxed tonight. I think I can play consistently at the same level I played at last season.”

Forward Michael Cage had 17 points and 15 rebounds.

“Without a doubt, it was our best front line performance this season,” Chaney said. “I thought Ben had a good game. I hope this is a starting point for him.”

Guards Mike Woodson and Larry Drew scored 11 points apiece.

The Clippers led, 94-79, with 10:59 left in the fourth period after Kenny Fields hit a pair of free throws.

But then the Clippers collapsed.

Los Angeles was outscored, 24-6, in the first 8 minutes 16 seconds of the final period as the Sonics took a 103-100 lead with 3:44 left.

The Clippers got to within a point when Benjamin hit a jumper from the right side with 3:17 left.

But the Sonics scored six straight points to win their second straight game. The Sonics (15-11) have won four of their last five games.

Ellis sank the two free throws after Benjamin fouled him with 2:49 left to give Seattle a three-point lead.

Lister made more two free throws after he was fouled by Clipper guard Darnell Valentine with 2:24 remaining, and Chambers hit a 19-foot jumper from the right side to give the Sonics a 109-102 lead with 1:43 left.

Clipper Notes

Guard Quintin Dailey becomes a Clipper today, but he won’t be eligible to play in tonight’s game against the Boston Celtics because he hasn’t taken his physical yet. Dailey, who is in Los Angeles, is expected to play in Tuesday night’s game against the Houston Rockets at the Sports Arena. The Rockets beat the Clippers, 121-96, last Tuesday night at Houston.