One more loss, and they're worse than laughingstocks.
One more loss, and they're 0-17.
The Clippers dropped to 0-16 Monday night with a 115-83 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Next up is the Milwaukee Bucks, on Wednesday, a game Los Angeles needs to win to avoid tying the Miami Heat's 0-17 start in its first season. That streak, ironically, ended when they beat the Clippers.
In the only other NBA games Monday night, New York beat Philadelphia 101-96 in overtime, and New Jersey rallied to beat Chicago 99-94.
"Everybody's so frustrated. We all know the streak is hanging over us, and we all don't want to be remembered that way," Clipper center Matt Fish said.
Larry Johnson scored 18 points and Hersey Hawkins added 17 for the Hornets, who are 8-4 since their 0-3 start.
The Clips got as close as 10 points, with seven minutes left in the first half, but they never got nearer, as the Hornets broke it open with a 13-2 run and opened an 83-56 lead with 25 seconds left in the third quarter.
Lamond Murray scored 14 points for Los Angeles, which has dropped 20 straight games overall, and 30 of 32 since March 25.
New coach Bill Fitch hasn't helped.
"Some of us are just gluttons for punishment," Charlotte center Robert Parish said with a chuckle after the game. "One thing about Bill is that he always thrives and blossoms in situations like this. He seems to be motivated by rebuilding a program and getting it off the ground."
Knicks 101, Sixers 96. Philadelphia came back nicely from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but then managed only one field goal in overtime.
John Starks had five of his 16 points in overtime, and Charles Smith scored four of his 20 points in the extra period for visiting New York. Patrick Ewing led the Knicks with 25 points. Dana Barros led the 76ers with 22 points.
Sharone Wright's baseline jumper 20 seconds into overtime put Philadelphia up 92-90, but Starks' 3-pointer, followed by Smith's jumper midway through the extra period, gave the Knicks the lead for good.
Nets 99, Bulls 94. New Jersey rallied from a 19-point halftime deficit and snapped a four-game losing streak by winning at Chicago.
Armon Gilliam, playing extended minutes due to an injury to Derrick Coleman, got the Nets back into the game in the third quarter by scoring 11 of his 24 points.
With 1:19 left, Kenny Anderson was fouled by Larry Krystkowiak and made one of two free throws, giving the Nets the lead for good at 93-92. After Toni Kukoc missed a 3-pointer, Sleepy Floyd sealed the victory with two free throws, with four seconds left.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.