Clippers Lose It in Desert They let a three-point lead in closing seconds of first overtime disappear and fade in the second extra session. Suns lead series, 3-2. By Jason Reid, Times Staff Writer May 17, 2006 PHOENIX — They've overcome obstacles this season that stopped them throughout their dismal past, and now the Clippers must dig down deeper than ever. They're in trouble and working against history after losing in double overtime Tuesday night to the Phoenix Suns, 125-118, in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals at US Airways Center. The Suns again found a way to win a playoff thriller against a Staples Center tenant, outscoring the Clippers, 14-7, in the second overtime to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Shawn Marion scored 36 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, and Raja Bell made a three-point shot over Daniel Ewing with 1.1 seconds remaining in the first overtime — with the Clippers having a foul to give before getting into the bonus — to force the final extra session, and put the Suns in position to end the Clippers' season Thursday night in Game 6 at Staples. In NBA history, teams that win the fifth game in playoff series tied at 2-2 have won 84% of the series. That could be bad news for the Clippers, but they seemed ready for the next challenge after a physically and emotionally draining experience. They were making plans to return to the desert for a decisive Game 7 on Monday, saying anyone who doubts them hasn't been paying attention this season. "We've overcome a lot, and I guess it's unexpected," said power forward Elton Brand, who led the Clippers with 33 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and five blocked shots in almost 55 minutes. "We lost and we're down in the series, but our confidence still hasn't wavered. We feel we should have had at least one or two of the games that we've lost already. It's disappointing, and we have to play well at home." Late in the first overtime, it appeared the Clippers would return to L.A. with a chance to close out the Suns. But Bell's shot left the Clippers reeling. "We did have a foul to give, and we were going to use it," Coach Mike Dunleavy said. "But Daniel thought Raja was already in shooting motion, so he couldn't take it right there." Ewing was inserted into the game for defensive purposes with 3.6 seconds left in the first overtime. "I knew the situation, we had a foul to give, and Coach really didn't want us to foul unless someone took a dribble," Ewing said. "He didn't want to risk the chance of someone having a four-point play. "He already caught the ball behind the three-point line, and I didn't want to risk him getting a four-point play. "I just put the most ball pressure I could on his shot, and he's been making big shots all series. He came up with another big shot for his team." Said Bell, who scored 22 points and made five of seven three-point shots: "I didn't have a whole lot of time to think about it, but it felt good as soon as it left my hand. I'm not one of those guys who asks for the ball, but when he drew it up for me, I was excited." The Clippers again followed the lead of co-captains Brand and point guard Sam Cassell (32 points and five assists), who led them to a victory in Game 4 that evened the series. The Clippers twice trailed by as many as 19 points in the third quarter, but the Suns again left the door ajar because of their poor defense. Cassell made a three-pointer with 39.8 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the score at 101-101. With 39 seconds left, Marion missed two free throws that could have given the Suns the lead. The Clippers grabbed the rebound and had a chance to end it in regulation, but Cassell was called for an eight-second violation as he tried to bring the ball into the frontcourt. Neither team would score again in regulation. "It was a golden opportunity for us, and we just didn't take advantage of it," Cassell said. "It would be easier to go home up, 3-2, instead of down, 3-2, but there's no need to cry over spilled milk. "Game 6 is coming in L.A., and we're looking forward to it. It's that simple." -- 你們認為海南高高在上，位於雲端嗎？他們真的就這麼高不可攀嗎？ 他們的成績的確是有目共睹的。以他們過去的戰績來看，我們和海南的確有天壤之別。 但是---- 我在睡前，都會想像著有一天...... 我每晚都在腦裡描繪我們和海南大學附屬高中參加IH的戰況。 從那一年前起，每晚都如此！ --

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