Martin Has Upper Hand Against Payton, Seattle

ANAHEIM â€”  Clipper guard Darrick Martin thrives on the challenge of playing against Seattle SuperSonic guard Gary Payton, perhaps the NBA’s best point guard.

“He’s a Dream Teamer and an all-star,� Martin said. “You have to get up to play against him because he’s a great player.�

Martin held his own against Payton, scoring 31 points and passing off for a season-high nine assists as the Clippers handed the SuperSonics their first loss in 10 games this month, 102-100, Thursday night before an announced 16,227 at the Pond of Anaheim.

Martin scored five of the Clippers’ final eight points as they overcame a 97-94 deficit.

Payton fouled Martin as he attempted a three-point shot with 16.2 seconds remaining and Martin made all three free throws to end the Clippers’ five-game losing streak.

The SuperSonics had a chance to tie it, but forward Sam Perkins missed two free throws with 1.6 seconds remaining. After Perkins’ first shot rimmed out, the SuperSonics called time out and Perkins intentionally missed the second. But the SuperSonics failed to control the rebound.

Clipper Coach Bill Fitch thought Martin fared well against Payton.

“You don’t outplay Payton,� Fitch said. “You measure Payton’s game by defense and what he does for their team. It’s not an individual thing. Darrick did as much for us as we needed him to do to get the win. Payton is still a pretty tough hombre, I wouldn’t wish him on Martin too many nights.

“He’s learning to play the game with a little bit more energy. I’ve never been happy with his energy and I’ve never been happy with his aggression. I think that’s why he’s had trouble doing it. Little guys can’t be nice guys in this league.�

The Clippers, who played one of their worst games of the season Tuesday night in an 18-point loss at Portland, played one of their best against the defending Western Conference champion SuperSonics.

The Clippers, who ended a 14-game losing streak against the SuperSonics, built a 90-83 lead with 6:14 remaining in the fourth quarter.

But the SuperSonics (30-12) scored seven consecutive points in a 14-4 spurt and took a three-point lead.

Then Martin took over.

The Clippers, who went into the game without guard Pooh Richardson (ankle) and Lamond Murray (knee), lost starting forwards Loy Vaught and Rodney Rogers and reserve swingman Charles Outlaw when they fouled out in the fourth quarter.

Vaught had no points and three rebounds, and Rogers had four points and five rebounds.

But the Clipper reserves made up for it.

Swingman Eric Piatkowski had a season-high 16 points and guard Brent Barry had 11 as the Clipper reserves outscored their SuperSonic counterparts, 39-13.

Payton, who helped lead Dream Team III to an Olympic gold last summer, is having a dream season, ranking among the NBA leaders in scoring, assists and steals.

But Thursday night’s game wasn’t so dreamy for Payton, who was ejected with 0.5 of a second remaining after getting 22 points, six assists and six rebounds.

Terry Cummings and Detlef Schrempf also lost their cool, being called for second-quarter technical fouls.

The SuperSonics (30-12) also lost their cool, as Terry Cummings and Detlef Schrempf got being hit with second-quarter technical fouls.

The Clippers played tough defense. The SuperSonics, who came into the game averaging 15.3 turnovers, had 15 turnovers, which the Clippers converted into 20 points, in the first half.