Cassell Clips It in Bud

PORTLAND, Ore. — In these difficult times for the short-handed Clippers, someone needs to take charge in every game.

Sunday night, Sam Cassell did just that.

The vocal point guard has thrived in leadership roles throughout his career and seized another moment against the Portland Trail Blazers, connecting on a timely 17-foot jumper late in the fourth quarter of a 100-94 victory at the Rose Garden.

With the Clippers trying to hold off the Trail Blazers in the final minute, the 12-year veteran broke free on an inbounds play after a timeout and Shaun Livingston delivered a sharp pass to him in the right corner, resulting in a basket that gave the Clippers a 95-91 lead with 30.8 seconds remaining in the game.

“It’s easy to make a shot in the first three quarters, but it’s hard to make a shot with five minutes left in the game, and that’s what I pride myself on,” said Cassell, who had 22 points and led the Clippers with seven assists.

“That’s what I like to do, and that’s when I like to do it. Some nights, I might miss shots in the fourth, but one thing you know about me is that I’m always going to be there to take it. And that’s big.”

The Clippers also received a bounce-back performance from power forward Elton Brand, who had 20 points and 11 rebounds a night after his worst game of the season in a blowout loss to the Boston Celtics at Staples Center.

Guard Cuttino Mobley led the Clippers with 23 points, and rookie guard Daniel Ewing, starting for the second time this season, contributed 11 points, four assists and three steals.

Center Chris Kaman, who had 14 points and 15 rebounds, converted four consecutive free throws in the final 16.9 seconds to seal the Clippers’ first victory in Portland since April 1999, ending their 12-game losing streak at the Rose Garden and lifting the spirits of a group that needed some good news after consecutive disappointing performances on their home court.

“It’s nothing that’s do or die at this point in time, but it certainly was a much-needed win,” said Coach Mike Dunleavy, whose team trails the Phoenix Suns by two games in the Pacific Division.

“We’ve been struggling, and we did a lot of good things.”

The Clippers (17-12), who had lost seven of their previous nine games, are playing without injured starting small forward Corey Maggette, backup center Zeljko Rebraca and backup small forward/shooting guard Quinton Ross. Things are difficult and could become worse while they await the return of the key players, but Cassell made sure the Clippers began the new year well.

“We set it up as one of the options,” Dunleavy said of Cassell’s shot. “Shaun made a great read on it and delivered it to him.”

Although Cassell was the last option on the play, he was Livingston’s first choice.

“Plays like that, you’ve got to get it to the player with the best percentage in that situation,” said the backup point guard, who made the pass while standing on the baseline near the basket.

“You don’t want to throw the ball to somebody who’s not going to be in the best position. Anywhere from 17 feet in with Sam, at that point of a game, you’ve got to get him the ball.”

That was fine with Cassell.

“I told Shaun with how the play was set up, I’m the last option on it, but I might be the guy who was most open on the play,” he said. “I was in a little shooting slump the last three games, but I’m shooting the ball a little better right now.”

The Trail Blazers (10-20) shot 10 free throws and made only three, an all-time franchise low. They continued to apply pressure, however, making seven three-point baskets in 16 attempts. Guard Juan Dixon scored a game-high 24 points.

“We made it easy for them to defend us,” Portland Coach Nate McMillan said. “By not taking it to the basket, it explains why we shot only 10 free throws.”