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Ross shot in overtime lift Clippers over 76ers

Nov 19, 2006 - 6:53 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Elton Brand was the star, but Quinton Ross made the biggest play of the game.

Brand scored a season-high 33 points and Ross nailed a go-ahead floater with 38 seconds remaining as the Los Angeles Clippers posted a 103-97 overtime victory over the Philadelphia 76ers for their sixth win in their last seven contests.

Corey Maggette added 21 points for the Clippers, who shot 47 percent (45-of-75) from the field and outrebounded the 76ers, 49-33.

Los Angeles coach Mike Dunleavy said many of the plays Ross made won't show up in the box score.

"Ross was unbelievable. His game tonight, when we grade this film tonight, will be off the charts," Dunleavy said. "He covered everybody. He was incredible at both ends of the floor. Offensively, he was efficient as well."

The inspired defensive play by the whole squad earned the Clippers their first 6-0 start at home in team history.

"I feel good about that," Brand said. "I'm part of and proud of a lot of Clippers history now. I enjoy it, let's keep stacking them up. Let's make some big, big wins."

Brand shot 11-of-19 from the floor and 11-of-14 from the foul line and grabbed 12 rebounds. However, in the waning seconds of the extra period, he was double-teamed on the post and it was Ross who made the big shot.

"They kind of double-teamed but you have to have confidence in your teammates," Brand said. "Corey (Maggette) at the end of regulation, the same thing. That's the right basketball play. I wanted to take it but you have a wide-open guy."

The third-year guard, who finished with 14 points, dropped in a tough runner over Kevin Ollie to make it 99-97. However, Ross still thinks the team has to execute better.

"We were fortunate to get the win (Saturday)," Ross said. "We're just not executing right now as far as our play sets right now. We have to pick that up."

Despite his offensive heroics, Ross had the defensive assignment on 76ers superstar Allen Iverson and played well.

"Q (Ross) was amazing, he was running around with AI (Iverson) the whole game. AI puts you in a lot of tough situations," Maggette said. "He played great. That's why we got him, so he can play hard defense and give us what he can."

With 24.7 seconds remaining in regulation and the scored tied, 90-90, Philadelphia guard Willie Green had his inbounds pass stolen by Shaun Livingston, but Maggette missed a potential game-winning jumper as time expired.

Brand poked the ball away, allowing Livingston to swipe it, and the Clippers' center is just glad they were able to keep the ball away from Philadelphia's hot shooters.

"I'm sure they were looking for Allen Iverson or Kyle Korver," Brand said. "I was playing off a little bit and (Sixers center Samuel) Dalembert ran to the ball. I just put my hand in, poked it away and hoped they didn't call a foul."

Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said the defense collapsed on Iverson, forcing a rushed pass to the post.

"They played Allen and we had someone coming to the ball," Cheeks said. "Unfortunately, for us, we didn't get the ball inbounds and that was a key play, because it would have given us a chance for the last shot."

Iverson had 29 points and nine assists for the Sixers, who shot 43 percent (37-of-86).