Knicks Can’t Close Out Clippers, Drop Sixth Straight Game
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Sam Cassell hit consecutive 3-pointers in the final two minutes, including the go-ahead one, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Knicks 85-82 last night for their fourth straight victory.
Elton Brand scored 25 points, nine in the fourth quarter, and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Clippers improved to 4-1 on their six-game road trip that ends tonight at Detroit. They have won nine of 10 overall.
Cassell was quiet for most of the game and finished with only 13 points. Before his late surge the most energy he showed was when he was hit with a technical foul that was taken away by another referee.
Jalen Rose scored 23 points for the Knicks, who have lost six straight and 12 of 13. They fell to 0-6 this season without starting point guard Stephon Marbury.
New York led 78-77 after Jamal Crawford’s basket with 2:48 to play, but Cassell drilled a 3-pointer about a minute later for an 80-78 lead. He missed on the next possession, but got the ball back after an offensive rebound and made another 3-pointer from the corner with 1:13 remaining to extend the lead to five points.
Before that, Brand had carried the Clippers in the final quarter. Los Angeles trailed by seven points with 8 minutes to go, but Brand had half the Clippers’ points in a 12-4 spurt and gave them a 77-76 lead with a jumper with 3:09 left.
The Knicks got within 83-82 and had the ball after a Clippers miss, but Rose couldn’t get the ball in and was called for a 5-second violation.Cuttino Mobley made two foul shots and Brand knocked away a desperation inbounds pass.
Chris Kaman added 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers, who are a game behind the 1974-75 Buffalo Braves for the best record in franchise history after 46 games.That team went a franchise-best 49-33.
The Knicks shot 32% in the first half but still led 40-36 behind 12 points from Rose.The Clippers then opened a 58-51 lead on Cassell’s 3-pointer with 3:11 left in the third, but the Knicks closed the quarter with a 10-2 spurt to take a 61-60 lead on Nate Robinson’s steal and layup with 1.4 seconds left.
New York then opened the fourth with consecutive baskets by Crawford and Qyntel Woods to push the lead to 65-60.
