Wed Jan 16 02:01:19 2008

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Cassell leads Clippers over Suns in LA

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Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Sam Cassell scored a game-high 32 points on 15-of-21 shooting, as the Los Angeles Clippers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 97-90 victory over Phoenix at Staples Center.

"I was surprised with the smaller match-up on me. It gave me an opportunity to shoot over a smaller guy. This was a great," said Cassell.

Corey Maggette added 21 points and Chris Kaman came up large with nine points and 18 rebounds for the Clippers, who won for just the second time in 12 games and came out victorious at home for only the second time in 13 games.

Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 29 points and eight rebounds while Shawn Marion totaled 14 points and 17 rebounds. Raja Bell scored 15 points and Steve Nash recorded his customary double-double with 14 points and 13 assists for Phoenix, which dropped a road game for the fourth time in its last six tries.

"Our offense let us down tonight and we couldn't stop Sam (Cassell)," said Phoenix head coach Mike D'Antoni.

The tight first quarter turned into a close first half. The Clippers led 28-27 after one period and held that same one-point edge, 49-48, after 24 minutes.

Los Angeles turned up the heat during the third stanza. Phoenix actually took a 55-53 edge on a pair of Nash free throws before the Clippers embarked on an 8-0 stretch capped by Tim Thomas' running jumper with 6:25 to play in the period.

Cassell's driving layup pushed the edge to 74-63 late in the third and the Clippers carried a 74-65 advantage into the final 12 minutes.

Phoenix closed within 86-83 on a pair of Stoudemire free throws with 3:32 to go, but Cassell hit a turnaround on the next possession and Kaman tipped in a rare Cassell miss several possessions later for a 90-84 lead with 1:58 to go.

Marion missed a good look at a three-pointer on the other end and Cuttino Mobley, who scored 12 points off the bench, converted a layup to ice the game.

Game Notes

Thomas scored 11 points...The Suns shot 41 percent from the floor and LA made 52.5 percent of its shots...The Clippers didn't make a three (0-of-6) while the Suns drained 9-of-27 from beyond the arc...Cassell also dished out seven assists...Attendance 16,063.