Clippers Hold On to Win

Clipper guards Brent Barry and Darrick Martin, who spent last summer playing together, helped the Clippers end a losing streak at four games.

Barry had 23 points, six rebounds and four assists and Martin had 12 points, three assists and three steals as the Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors, 82-78, Thursday night before 11,380 at the Pond of Anaheim.

Barry made his first seven shots and scored 17 points in the first quarter as the Clippers built a 20-point lead.

But the Clippers, who scored 33 points in the first quarter, managed only 49 points in the final three pointers and hung on for their fifth win in 25 games.

“Darrick and I spent a lot of time together in the summer and we seem to have good chemistry,” said Barry, who made nine of 17 shots, including four three point shots. “It’s been a struggle. One game isn’t going to solve all our problems, but at least we showed a glimpse of what we can do.”

Coach Bill Fitch removed Barry with 9:19 remaining in the final quarter after he threw a no-look pass then put him back into the game after the Warriors cut their deficit to 77-74 with 2:16 remaining.

“We were playing good defense and I wasn’t going to mess with it,” Fitch said. “But when they came within five points had to put Brent back in. He did a good job of keeping the ball.”

Forward Lamond Murray, who missed two free throws with the Clippers leading by 69-67 with 6:57 remaining, sealed the win by making four free throws in the final 17 seconds.

“I was mentally into it and tried to stay focused,” said Murray, who had 19 points. “I was making a lot of turnovers so I had to stay focused and I nailed those free throws at the end.”

Trailing 78-76, the Warriors had a chance to tie it, but Joe Smith missed a follow shot and Murray made two free throws with 17 seconds remaining.

Smith tipped in a shot after Brian Shaw missed a three-point shot with 3.4 seconds left for 80-78 and the Warriors immediately fouled Murray, who made two free throws to seal the victory.

Martin, who started the first 11 games before being removed from the starting lineup, started for the first time in 13 games and made three of four shots, including two three-pointers, in the first quarter as the Clippers took a 33-13 lead.

Barry, moved back to shooting guard after two starts at point guard, made his first seven shots, including two three-pointers, and scored 17 points in the first quarter.

Fitch, who has had a scowl plastered across his face throughout the season, probably thought he could relax after the Clippers shot a season-best 66.7% in the first quarter.

But, the Clippers shot 20% and scored only 10 points in the second quarter to have their lead cut to four at 43-39 at halftime.

Barry and Martin didn’t score in the second quarter. Barry missed all four shots he took in the quarter and Martin didn’t attempt a shot.