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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – New Jersey trailed the Los Angeles
Clippers by 20 points midway through the second quarter, and Nets
coach Byron Scott was angry.
So Scott blistered the Nets during a second-quarter time out,
and again in the locker room at the half. His team got the message.
With Stephon Marbury scoring 33 points, the Nets rallied for a
102-96 overtime victory to snap a three-game losing streak and hand
the Clippers their fifth consecutive loss.
"That was probably the angriest I've ever been," Scott said.
"I just don't think we came ready to play. We just walked out
there with no emotion or energy or anything."
Keith Van Horn sent the game into overtime with a spin move and
Marbury took charge in overtime.
"The second half they responded," Scott said. "We came out
and did a good job, especially on the defensive end. We were a lot
more aggressive, more physical."
The Nets began their comeback shortly after Scott called a time
out with 4:20 to play in the second period.
New Jersey scored nine of the last 11 points in the first half
to cut the gap to 49-37.
Then, with Marbury scoring 12, they fought back to take a 73-69
lead after three periods.
"He was very angry," said Marbury when asked about Scott. "He
was definitely at one of his low points as far as being frustrated.
We were going out and playing passive, as if these guys were going
to lay down."
Lamar Odom, who scored 34 points, ran off 14 in a row including
a 3-pointer to give the Clippers a 91-88 edge with 27.4 seconds to
play in regulation. But Lucious Harris hit two free throws with
12.2 to play, and Eric Piotowski made one of two free throws for
the Clippers with 11.4 remaining to make it 92-90.
Van Horn then sent the game into overtime with a spin move and
basket from the top of the key with 3.1 seconds to play.
"In that situation, with so little time on the clock, you want
to help your team get into overtime," Van Horn said. "The only
thing on my mind was to make a good play."
Marbury scored the first two baskets in overtime for a 96-92
lead. After Quentin Richardson scored for the Clippers, the Nets
closed it with six straight free throws -- four by Harris and two by
Marbury.
"I thought probability would catch up with us and we would win
an overtime game," said Clippers coach Alvin Gentry, whose team is
now 0-8 in OT this season. "Stephon came out, made shots and made
a lot of big plays, but the bottom line is when your trying to hold
off a team you can't miss free throws, give up offensive rebounds
and keep making unforced errors."
The Nets missed their first 14 field goal attempts and did not
score a basket until 2:42 remained in the first period. The quarter
ended with the Nets making just 2 of 17 shots and trailing 25-12.
The Clippers used a seven-point spurt, including five by Odom,
midway through the second quarter to build a 43-23 edge.
Harris finished with 18 for the Nets while Van Horn added 14,
including 12 after intermission. Richardson had 15 for the
Clippers, and Cherokee Parks added 13 points and 14 rebounds.
Game notes
Reserve G Sherman Douglas is not with the Nets while
attending to "family business" in Washington. Scott hopes Douglas
will rejoin the team in time for its next game, with Toronto on
Wednesday. ... Harris had a precautionary MRI on his left knee
Saturday. Results were negative and he played Sunday. ... General
manager John Nash, whose contract was not renewed by the Nets,
returned from a scouting trip to Europe and said: "I plan to work
for the Nets as long as they want me." ... The Clippers played
their fourth game on a seven-game, 10-day trip.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
LA Clippers Clubhouse
New Jersey Clubhouse
RECAPS
San Antonio 92
Toronto 74
Philadelphia 104
Phoenix 98
New Jersey 102
LA Clippers 96
Utah 94
Sacramento 90
Vancouver 110
Minnesota 102
Indiana 110
LA Lakers 109
Orlando 96
New York 88
Washington 101
Denver 98
Atlanta 98
Golden State 91
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