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Warriors lose 12th straight at Staples Center

Feb 25, 2007 - 12:46 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Staples Center remains a house of horrors for the Golden State Warriors.

Elton Brand scored 31 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and tied a career high with eight blocked shots as the Los Angeles Clippers dominated inside and posted a 103-90 victory over the Warriors.

Golden State lost for the 12th straight time here against both Los Angeles teams - six each to the Clippers and Lakers.

Los Angeles' front line of Brand, Corey Maggette and Tim Thomas combined for 66 points. Brand and Maggette went to the free-throw line 27 times, 12 more than the Warriors attempted.

"Elton did a good job at controlling the paint and blocking shots," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said.

Maggette scored nine of his 18 points in the fourth quarter for the Clippers, who also outrebounded Golden State, 48-35.

Thomas finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds before leaving midway through the fourth quarter due to back spasms.

"They controlled the boards, they controlled the inside, they posted inside and they had Brand," Warriors coach Don Nelson said. "We didn't have an answer for any of it. They took our break away by rebounding and going inside."

The Clippers didn't even need center Chris Kaman, who missed his second straight game due to the flu.

"They (the Warriors) are second in points scored around the league and first in fast breaks so we didn't want to let them penetrate our interior," said Brand, who was 11-of-19 from the field and 9-of-13 from the line.

The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Clippers (26-29), who moved ahead of Golden State (26-30) and pulled within one-half game of New Orleans (27-29) for the final Western Conference playoff spot.

"We're going to have to keep up with our defensive principles if we want to make the playoffs," said Clippers guard Shaun Livingston, who had 14 points and a career-high 14 assists. "Elton did a great job of blocking shots today and when he does that it gives us a chance to box guys out, get the rebounds and get our hands on balls."

Monta Ellis, who set a career high with 13 assists, converted a three-point play to give Golden State a 70-65 lead with 4:53 left in the third quarter.

But the Clippers went on an 11-3 run as Sam Cassell hit a pair of jumpers.

Los Angeles led throughout the fourth quarter. The Warriors pulled within 83-81 on a layup by Richardson with 7:47 left.

But the Clippers went on a 15-5 run over the next 5:19. Maggette highlighted it with five free throws, a 16-foot jumper and a dunk off a pass by Livingston

After two free throws by Ellis pulled the Warriors within 98-88 with 2:14 left, Cuttino Mobley hit a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer for the Clippers.

Al Harrington led Golden State with 24 points.

Jason Richardson played in his second game after missing the previous 22 with a broken hand and scored 18 off the bench. Ellis finished with 17, but made just 6-of-17 shots.