Clippers Make Effort but Fall to Nuggets

Matt Fish, a hustling free-agent center from North Carolina Wilmington, livened up the Clippers’ 96-90 exhibition loss to the Denver Nuggets before an announced crowd of 5,049 Wednesday night at the Sports Arena.

Fish, at 6 feet 11 and 265 pounds, challenged Nugget center Dikembe Mutombo as the Clippers overcame a 21-point deficit with a 20-4 run in the first 10 minutes of the final quarter.

Fish had seven points and three rebounds and nearly outplayed starting center Elmore Spencer, who had had seven points and four rebounds.

The Clippers, who trailed, 86-69, going into the final quarter, tied it at 90-90 on a three-pointer by rookie swingman Eric Piatkowski with 2:20 left. But the Nuggets pulled it out with six consecutive free throws.

Terry Dehere led the Clippers with 21 points.