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NBA: LA Clippers 102, TrailBlazers 89
Maggette Leads Clippers Past Blazers
By KEN PETERS
The Associated Press
Tuesday, November 7, 2006; 3:34 AM
LOS ANGELES -- For the second time in this young season, the Clippers' Elton Brand scored only eight points. That was plenty. His Los Angeles teammates provided a fine balance of scoring in a 102-89 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.
"I feel bad for the people who have fantasy teams, but that's about it," Brand said after taking just eight shots. "We're winning the ball game. Tonight I didn't hit much, but before tonight I was shooting over 56 percent from the field, so when I did touch it, it's going in.
Los Angeles Clippers' Elton Brand, left, blocks a hook shot by Portland Trail Blazers' Jamaal Magloire of Canada during the first quarter of a basketball game in Los Angeles, Monday, Nov. 6, 2006. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) (Kevork Djansezian - AP)
"There are a lot of double- and triple-teams, but we have a lot of offensive threats."
Elton Brand, who had four rebounds and four assists, was more of a factor on defense, blocking five shots.
He averaged 24.7 points and 10 rebounds last season.
"You're expecting him to score 30 points on double-teams; it's not going to happen," teammate Sam Cassell said. "We have a lot of options and we're going to exercise them. But for us to be successful throughout the season, he's definitely the main focus of our team."
Elton Brand, who scored eight points in a win over Denver Nuggets on Thursday, had 15 in the Clippers' victory over Phoenix on Saturday night, so he still has not been held to consecutive single-digit scoring games since March 2004.
Corey Maggette, who has agreed to a reserve role for the season, topped the Clippers against Portland with 20 points and had nine rebounds in his 28 minutes.
Cuttino Mobley had 17 points for Los Angeles, while Cassell had 16. Chris Kaman added 15 and nine rebounds for the Clippers and Quinton Ross had 13 points.
The Clippers (3-1) won their third in a row, all at home, and beat Portland for the fifth consecutive meeting.
Los Angeles' victory overshadowed a 35-point, 13-rebound performance by Portland's Zach Randolph, who also blocked three shots.
"I did better in the second half on getting the ball out quick," said Randolph, alluding to times when he was double-teamed. "It's something we work on in practice, getting the ball out quick and finding an open man."
Portland coach Nate McMillan was impressed by Randolph's play, saying, "I thought he was fabulous with his post presence."
The Trail Blazers, already missing starting center Joel Przybilla, may lose guard Brandon Roy for a while. Roy played just 14 minutes before telling McMillan he couldn't go any more.
Los Angeles Clippers' Elton Brand, left, blocks a hook shot by Portland Trail Blazers' Jamaal Magloire of Canada during the first quarter of a basketball game in Los Angeles, Monday, Nov. 6, 2006. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) (Kevork Djansezian - AP)
"I didnt get hurt tonight," Roy said. "I have been having some difficulty lately. A bone next to my Achilles' is bothering me.
"It just hurt too much to play. The doctor said I needed to rest and get it looked at. I am going to have an MRI tomorrow when I get back to Portland."
Przybilla is expected to be sidelined for about a week by a lower abdominal injury. Jamaal Magloire, who came from Milwaukee in the offseason, started at center against Los Angeles and had four points and three rebounds in 23 minutes.
Ime Udoka had 10 points and 11 rebounds in the loss, and Jarrett Jack finished with 17 points, only seven after the first quarter.
Los Angeles took command with a 10-point burst over the final 3:55 of the third quarter and Portland got no closer than nine points in the fourth.
NOTES:@ The Clippers, who went 27-14 at home last season, play seven of their first 10 games at home. .. The Trail Blazers (2-2) came into the game over .500 for the first time since Dec. 22, 2004, when they were 13-12. ... The Clippers have won five straight over the Trail Blazers since a 90-86 loss on Jan. 28.
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