Los Angeles – The Clippers breathed a huge sigh of relief after losing a 16-point second-half lead but holding off the Nuggets Saturday night.
Their defense pulled it out, including three stops on Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony in the final 40 seconds, two in the final six seconds.
“He’s the focal point of their offense, so we really wanted to try to contain him. It was a team effort,” Clippers forward Elton Brand said.
On the final play of the game, the Clippers double-teamed Anthony deep in the left corner.
“It’s only fair, if they are going to come double me, we’re going to go double him,” Brand said.
Brand was happy but knows his team has to play better to win the series.
“It felt good when we were up 16 points, then it got ugly. But it’s a learning experience. You can build from it and learn from it. Best thing about it is that it was a win.
“We kept them from stealing it.”
Guard Cuttino Mobley had much the same comments. He thought containing Anthony was the key.
“He’s supposed to get the ball,” Mobley said of the final sequence. “That’s a no-brainer. Just like E.B. (Elton Brand) is supposed to get the ball.”
Hard work pays off
At 26, Clippers guard Corey Maggette is relatively young to be considered a veteran. But after six years with Los Angeles, he’s the longest-tenured Clipper.
“I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly,” Maggette said. “This is the good part.”
Saturday night, Maggette ended a personal 444 regular-season-game streak without a playoff appearance as the Clippers made their first postseason appearance in nine years.
He was just 2-of-8 from the field but pulled down seven rebounds and likely will get more minutes as the series continues.
When Maggette came to Los Angeles, the team was marketing itself as the low-cost alternative to the Lakers. The Clippers would run advertisements in the local papers suggesting fans come watch the road team.
“Yeah, I remember that,” Maggette said. “It was tough. … But at the end of the day, after every season, we took a couple weeks off and then it was back to work. Trying to get better.
“And at the end of the day, we did get better.”
Seizing an opportunity
With Maggette battling injuries throughout the season, second-year guard Quinton Ross got an opportunity to start. He emerged as one of the team’s best defensive players.
Three years ago, Ross was trying to find a home in the NBA after going undrafted out of Southern Methodist. He played one season for Telindus BC Oostende of Belgium before signing as a free agent with the Clippers in August 2004.
At Saturday’s shootaround, normally a light walk-through, Ross was the only Clipper to come off the court dripping with sweat.
Asked if he normally goes so hard at the shootaround, Ross joked: “On occasion, but with the playoffs, you’ve got to be extra ready.”
The 6-foot-6 Ross was back on the bench Saturday night, seeing only limited action.
Footnote
Clippers forward Vladimir Radmanovic missed the past two games with a strained groin, but was on the active list for Saturday’s game and hit the game-winning free throws.
“He’s the only one who hasn’t really played full out to test it,” Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said prior to the game.
Radmanovic averaged 10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in 29.5 minutes since being acquired from Seattle on Feb. 15.
