| Missing Maggette Authored by Graham Flashner - February 7, 2005 - 10:42 pm
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Two nights into their longest road trip of the season, the Clippers had a chance to make this trip something special, instead of the endurance contest it’s likely to become.
After a pulsating comeback win in Memphis on Thursday, the Clippers journeyed to Milwaukee the following night, where a win would’ve put them over the .500 mark for the first time in February since 1992-93 (not coincidentally, their last .500 season), given them a four-game win streak, and a 2-0 start to the trip.
But, as Elton Brand warned before the Clippers’ last home game: they can’t afford not to execute. Especially when two of their go-to guys (Kerry Kittles being the other) are unavailable. With under a minute to play in Milwaukee, rookie Quinton Ross lost sharpshooter Michael Redd on a head feint. Redd nailed a 17-foot jumper that gave the Bucks a 92-90 lead, but there was still time. It was one of those nights where a struggling home team played much better than their record indicated, and a night when the Clippers reverted to bad habits: they were out-rebounded 50-32, gave up 19 offensive rebounds, and missed two crucial opportunities to seize the lead in the final minute.
With all that, they had a chance to tie, or win the game. After Redd’s basket, the Clippers set up for their last shot. Ordinarily, defenses would have to worry about Maggette, a fearless clutch performer who’d already beaten the Miami Heat on a last-second heave in double-overtime. Or they’d have their hands full with Kittles, a three-point threat who’s expert at spreading defenses. With those options eliminated, the Bucks could key on the next logical choice - Elton Brand, who had already scored 31 points and single-handedly kept the Clips alive in the second half. But the Bucks defense smothered him, and the ball wound up in the hands of backup guard Rick Brunson, known more for his scrappy play than his shooting (2-7, 4 points). Brunson’s baseline shot was off, and the Bucks ran off with the victory. The Clippers could console themselves in having committed a season-low five turnovers, but it’s doubtful that they cared.
And so, instead of momentum, the Clippers came away with heartbreak. Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia would only provide more. On a day when the 76ers were the last pro sports team on Philadelphia’s mind, the Clippers battled once again to the final seconds. Having erased a nine-point deficit in the third quarter, they went up five late in the fourth, even with Elton Brand on the bench for most of the last 18 minutes because of foul trouble (he eventually fouled out). With Bobby Simmons (27 points) leading the way, the Clippers seemed in control.
But four turnovers and two crucial Philadelphia offensive rebounds later—the last, by Corliss Williamson, leading to two free throws by Allen Iverson that gave Philly a 106-104 lead—set the stage for yet another gruesome finish. The Clippers were unable to get a shot off in the ensuing 24 seconds, but when Williamson missed a jumper, the Clips once again set up for the final shot, with ample time (10.9 seconds) remaining.
This time, Brand was on the bench, and backup center Zeljiko Rebraca passed up an open shot. As fate would have it, the ball once again wound up in the hands of Brunson, who had only taken three shots all day. If this were a Hollywood movie, Brunson would’ve no doubt achieved redemption for his Friday night disappointment. Alas, the Clippers on the road are anything but the stuff movies are made of. Brunson’s shot from the key was well contested and not close, and the Clippers had dropped their second straight to a sub .500 Eastern team.
The two losses overshadowed one of the most satisfying victories of the season, Thursday night’s win over the Grizzlies. The Clippers wiped out a 16-point third quarter deficit and shot 11-14 in the fourth quarter, led by Simmons, who scored 7 of his game-high 26 points in the final three minutes, leading to the Clips’ 106-103 win.
The Clippers could argue that, for a few breaks here and there, they could be 3-0 on this trip, and they’d be right. They could argue that, with the Lakers and Timberwolves struggling, the eighth playoff seed in the West is still well within reach, and they’d be right. But they’ve now dropped 10 of their last 12 on the road, with tough games looming this week at Boston and Washington.
More than halfway through their season, the Clippers need to define themselves on what is fast becoming a season-defining trip.
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