Barry Leads Clippers in Prayer During and After 94-93 Victory

Brent Barry will always remember his first game-winning shot, even if he didn’t see it.

Barry made a wild running jumper in the lane with 1.7 seconds left as the Clippers ended a four-game losing streak with a 94-93 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night before an announced 6,131 at the Sports Arena.

“It was kind of an ugly shot, but Coach told me in the locker room that my prayers were answered,” Barry said. “He was mad at me because I left too much time on the clock.”

Barry didn’t even see the shot go in because he fell down after launching it over Nugget rookie forward Antonio McDyess.

“I shot it up there hoping it was going to go in,” Barry said. “I didn’t think it was going to go in, but I was hoping and luckily I got the roll.”

The Clippers, who trailed, 93-92, after Dale Ellis made a jumper over Lamond Murray with 5.1 seconds remaining, called time to set up a play.

“We’ve got a play called Terry and Barry, and tonight you saw the Barry end of it,” Coach Bill Fitch said. “We pray after every ballgame and somebody leads us. I let Barry lead us tonight because I know he was getting them all answered.

“The toughest part of that play was the inbounds pass because Barry left too soon and that threw Lamond off, so Lamond had to make a good pass.”

Acquired from the Nuggets along with center Brian Williams and forward Rodney Rogers in a draft-day trade for McDyess, center Elmore Spencer and guard Randy Woods, Barry helped the Clippers to their third victory in three games against the Nuggets this season.

McDyess, who had averaged seven points in the first two games against the Clippers, had 23 points and 13 rebounds as the Nuggets (16-25) overcame a 15-point first-half deficit.

“I thought he did a great job,” Fitch said of McDyess. “I haven’t changed my opinion of him. I still think he’s going to be a good basketball player. But if you ask me if I’d still make the trade, yes, I’d make the trade.”

Fitch juggled his lineup, starting Rogers in place of Murray, who had started the last 23 games but had missed nine of 11 shots in his last two games.

Rogers responded by scoring 14 points against his former team. Forward Loy Vaught led the Clippers with 26 points and 13 rebounds.

Williams, who had averaged 17 points and 12.5 rebounds in two games against his former team, sat out his first game of the season because of a sore right foot.

“I can’t believe it, the first game I miss and it’s against Denver,” Williams said. “It’s very frustrating just to miss a game at all. I want to get back as soon as possible, because you get in a rhythm of getting ready. Tonight, I know I’m going to have court envy.”

Antonio Harvey, who signed with the Clippers as a free agent on Jan. 3 after being waived by the Vancouver Grizzlies, started his first game as a Clipper in place of Williams.

Center Stanley Roberts, who had been sidelined 23 games because of a sprained ankle, received a warm ovation when he entered the game with 9:49 remaining in the second quarter. Roberts, who was activated last Friday, was playing his first game at the Sports Arena since he was injured.

Although he became so winded that he remained in the backcourt during several fastbreaks, Roberts looked decent. He even called for the ball at the top of the key after trailing his teammates down court. He finished with eight points in 17 minutes.

Clipper Notes

The Clippers advise fans who plan to attend Saturday night’s game against the Seattle SuperSonics at the Pond of Anaheim that traffic will be heavier than usual because Anaheim Stadium will be host to a supercross race at 7 with the basketball game at 7:30.