Davis, Hornets Put Sting on Clippers

Of all the top NBA rookies this season, former UCLA point guard Baron Davis probably has received the least attention.

As a reserve with the Charlotte Hornets, Davis has been overshadowed by the play of higher-profile first-year players Elton Brand, Steve Francis and the Clippers’ Lamar Odom.

But Davis has plenty of ability and he gave the Clippers an up-close look Friday night when he came off the bench in the second half and led Charlotte to a remarkable turnaround and a 118-101 victory before 15,362 at Staples Center.

“I think it was great for him to come back and play like he did. I’m sure he loved what he did, putting on a show for his home fans,” Charlotte Coach Paul Silas said of Davis, who scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half and added seven assists and two steals. “This was very special for him.”

When Davis entered the game early in the third quarter, the Hornets were getting roughed up by the Clippers, who led by 20 points, 69-49. Eight minutes later, Charlotte led, 82-81.

Davis and his teammates did not stop there. They continued to dominate into the fourth quarter as they outscored the Clippers, 69-32, over the final 21 minutes.

“We basically just took it over and shut them out,” Davis said of the Hornets’ about-face. “When we put in our trapping defense, that slowed them down and forced them into some bad situations.”

The Clippers had only two turnovers in the first half but committed 10 in the second half against Charlotte’s pressure defense.

“The guys just picked up the tempo and hustled hard,” Silas said. “When we started chipping away and it got down to six, I knew we had a good shot.”

With leading scorer Maurice Taylor home sick because of stomach flu, the Clippers completed arguably the worst week in franchise history.

On Monday, the Clippers were steamrollered by the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal, who scored a career-high 61 points, which included 11 dunks. On Wednesday, the Clippers blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead and lost by a point to the Toronto Raptors on a three-point basket by Vince Carter at the buzzer.

Davis, who entered Friday’s game averaging 5.8 points, 3.7 assists and 1.16 steals, may not be O’Neal or Carter but he beat down the Clippers just the same.

“Home is home and I love being here,” Davis said. “Tonight I just got an opportunity to get more playing time and I played pretty good.”

Forward Derrick Coleman led Charlotte with 31 points and 12 rebounds. Former Lakers Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell also had big games with 21 and 19 points, respectively. Campbell added 12 rebounds, and the Hornets made 52.3% of their field-goal attempts.

The Clippers have now lost five in a row and 32 of 35 games. Against the Hornets, they were led by Derek Anderson with 24 points and eight assists. Tyrone Nesby added 20 points and seven rebounds, and Odom had his second triple-double (10 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) but made only three of 10 shots from the field.

“Not having [Taylor] had an impact,” Clipper interim Coach Jim Todd said. “We battled so well without him early, but I imagine we could have used him in the second half. He’s a guy you can usually go to because you know he is going to get his shot.”