Brand Makes Debut As Clippers Top Sonics

[April 03, 2008]  SEATTLE (AP) -- Elton Brand made his long-awaited season debut and scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, Al Thornton had 21 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Seattle SuperSonics 102-84 on Wednesday night.

Brand had missed the entire season while recovering from a surgically repaired left Achilles' tendon, after being injured during an offseason workout on Aug. 3.

Brand finished with 19 points and five rebounds, hitting seven of 15 shots and making all five of his free throws. The former All-Star didn't just make an appearance either, coming up with key baskets throughout the fourth quarter.

Down 70-69 to start the fourth, the Clippers went on a 13-2 run and took an 82-72 lead on Brand's leaning jumper in the lane with 7:09 left. He also had a three-point play and displayed he can still quickly get off the floor, rising to swat Jeff Green's shot during the Clippers' decisive spurt.

Corey Maggette added 20 points and Dan Dickau added 13 for the Clippers. Los Angeles had lost 11 of 12 entering Wednesday night.

Kevin Durant led Seattle with 30 points, but the struggles only continued for the lowly SuperSonics. Seattle lost for the 19th time in 21 games and have just two victories since March 1. The Sonics must win their final seven games to avoid the worst season in franchise history -- an unwanted accomplishment that's likely to occur. Seattle's final seven all come against teams fighting for playoff position in the Western Conference: Houston (twice), Denver, Dallas (twice), San Antonio and Golden State.

Brand didn't shy away from being aggressive, in his first game action since the injury. Brand missed his first attempt short, but scored with 3:08 left in first quarter, hitting a right-hander from the low block. He immediately yelled "and one" wanting a foul on the play but didn't get the call.

Brand made three of eight shots in the first half, but the Clippers frittered away an early 11-point lead as Seattle held a 50-48 advantage at halftime.

Brand had originally believed his return would be Thursday night in Sacramento, but felt good before the game and told coach Mike Dunleavy he was ready to debut.

Brand's return came on a night the Clippers were severely short-handed. Chris Kaman (ankle), Cuttino Mobley (heel) and Tim Thomas (Achilles') all were out, and Dunleavy said Kaman's ankle injury could keep him out the rest of the season. Kaman is averaging 15.7 points and 12.7 rebounds.

Notes: Seattle F Damien Wilkins was not with the team for personal reasons. ... Another comical moment in the Sonics' season: A fan competing in a dizzy bat race ran into Seattle's coaching staff as they walked away from the bench before the fourth quarter started. ... The Clippers took two of three from Seattle this season.

[Associated Press; By TIM BOOTH]

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