Story Created:
Feb 25, 2010 at 3:28 PM PST
Story Updated:
Feb 25, 2010 at 3:28 PM PST
Chris Kaman scored 21 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, Drew Gooden added 20 points and 13 boards to help the Clippers get past the Detroit Pistons, 97-91 Wednesday at Staples Center.
L.A. was helped by the fact Detroit’s Richard Hamilton, who made 51 consecutive foul shots before the game, went 2 for 8 from the line.
“At one point in time, I thought I couldn’t miss a free throw. And then tonight I miss six,” Hamilton said. “But it happens. That’s the game for you. Just when you think that you can’t miss, a game like this happens. It’s crazy.”
He missed on his first attempt with 47 seconds left in the second quarter, ending his streak at 51 consecutive free throws made—11 shy of the franchise record held by Joe Dumars, who is currently the Pistons’ president of basketball operations.
“Richard Hamilton made 51 foul shots in a row before tonight, and he goes 2 for 8. That really surprised me because he’s such a good foul shooter, and I would want him at the line,” coach John Kuester said.
Hamilton, whose season has been marred by ankle and hamstring injuries that have limited him to 30 games, had 21 points after averaging 30.5 over his previous four games. He made three 3-pointers in the final 4 1/2 minutes, but missed all three free throws after getting fouled on a 3-point attempt that rimmed the basket and fell out with 7.9 seconds to play.
“It shouldn’t have come down to that, but that’s what happened,” said Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds. “That’s why you’ve got to play good for 48 minutes and not let the other team hang around long enough to make big shots and big plays at the end of the game. We stopped our flow, and that was it.”
Rasual Butler hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 25 seconds left for the Clippers, who have won three straight following a six-game losing streak. They completed a two-game season sweep of Detroit after losing the previous 13 meetings.
Neither team led by more than four points in the fourth quarter until Gooden sank a pair of free throws with 6.1 seconds remaining.
After Baron Davis hit a 3-pointer to give the Clippers an 85-82 lead with 4:48 remaining, Hamilton responded with back-to-back 3s 40 seconds apart to put Detroit back in front with 3:49 to play. Eric Gordon sank two free throws at the other end and Kaman hit a 15-footer to give Los Angeles an 89-88 edge with 2:33 left.
Kaman made one of two from the line before Hamilton’s 3-pointer gave the Pistons their final lead, 91-90, with 44 seconds on the clock. Butler responded with his clutch 3-pointer and added a pair of free throws with 10 seconds left.
The Clippers used their 13th different starting lineup, with interim coach Kim Hughes giving Gooden his first start since joining them in a trade last week with Washington. He had nine points in the opening period along with seven boards—equaling the most rebounds by a Pistons opponent in a quarter this season.
“I’m beginning to get comfortable with my new team,” Gooden said. “I’m just trying to fit in. We are trying to play as a team and get some wins with the new players we have. I played 14 straight minutes tonight, which means I’m meeting some of Coach’s expectations.”
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