Slam Dunk Central

I guess it was a matter of time before Los Angeles Clippers guard Sam Cassell would snap out of his shooting funk; he went through this on occasion as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks several seasons ago.  Cassell’s 32 points helped Los Angeles snap a 4-game losing streak, defeating the Phoenix Suns 97-90 Tuesday at the Staples Center.

Phoenix made their first 5 shots - three by Amare Stoudemire and 3-pointers by Raja Bell and Boris Diaw - for a quick 12-2 lead.  The Suns led 21-12 when Cassell got hot, scoring 10 points (14 for the quarter) during a 16-7 run that gave the Clippers a slim 28-27 lead entering the second period.  A 3-point play by Tim Thomas and 2 jumpers by Cuttino Mobley gave Los Angeles a 39-31 lead early in the 2nd quarter; they would go into halftime leading 49-48 thanks to a 55% first-half shooting effort.

Cassell scored 10 points and Corey Maggette added 7 during a 21-8 run that put the Clippers up 74-63 before the Suns’ Bell made a jumper to end the third quarter and draw Phoenix to within 9.  The Suns’ Steve Nash scored 7 points during a 12-4 run that cut the Clippers’ edge to 80-77 with 5:45 left in the game.  But the Clips’ Cassell made 3 jumpers in a bit over 2 minutes, and baskets by Chris Kaman and Mobley made it 92-84, icing the game for the Clippers.

The Clippers’ high scorer was the aforementioned Cassell with 32 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists - not bad for a 38-year old just off an injury.  Maggette added 21, while Kaman - despite shooting 3-for-14 - scored 9 while grabbing 18 rebounds and blocking 2 shots.  Phoenix was led by Stoudemire with 29 points and 8 rebounds; Bell added 15 - including 4 treys - while Nash and Shawn Marion pitched in with 14 each; Nash also dished out 13 assists.  Los Angeles (11-23) travels to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz Friday night, while Phoenix (26-12) stays in Los Angeles to take on the Lakers in a key divisional game Thursday night.

Stumble it!