MIAMI, Feb. 20 (Ticker) -- Quentin Richardson is making his case for the NBA's Sixth Man Award.

Richardson scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds off the bench as the Los Angeles Clippers got a pivotal road stretch off on the right foot with an 81-71 triumph over the Miami Heat.

Richardson made 9-of-19 shots and led the team in scoring as a reserve for the 12th time this season. No other reserve has led his team more than five times this season.

The second-year guard is third on the Clippers in scoring at nearly 14 points per game and has scored at least 20 points 14 times this season after reaching the plateau just twice in 76 games during his rookie campaign.

NBA TV highlights from Clippers-Heat: 56k | 300k Harold Jamison started for the injured Elton Brand and had a career night, including his first double-double. Victor Baldizon NBAE/Getty Images

"I just go out there and try to pick out my spots," Richardson said. "I want to help the team wherever possible. Today I got a chance to get out early and it helped the team."

"We got out to a pretty good start, but when Quentin Richardson came into the game, he dominated the game and got them ahead at halftime," Miami coach Pat Riley said.

Jeff McInnis chipped in 14 points and 11 assists for the Clippers, who kicked off a stretch where they will play nine of 10 games away from home. Los Angeles is now 1.5 games behind the Seattle SuperSonics for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

"Obviously it is a road win for us," Clipper coach Alvin Gentry said. "Regardless of what their record is, they are a real quality team and you know that team is going to be as prepared as any team you will play. And you know they are going to play as hard as any team you are going to play."

"I tried to push the ball up and run on the Heat," McInnis said. "I wanted to get the big fellas involved tonight. I wanted to lead the team."

The Clippers also swept the two-game season series from the Heat for just the second time, winning for just the fourth time in 14 games in Miami.

Los Angeles improved to 7-18 on the road despite being without All-Star Elton Brand, who missed the game with stretched ring finger on his right hand. Harold Jamison, who spent a portion of last season with the Heat, got the start in Brand's absence and collected 14 points and 10 rebounds.

"It surprised the (heck) out of me," Jamison said of his second start of the season. "They told me while we were going over scouting reports. I was like `Wow, OK.' I stayed ready and the only thing that ran through my mind was this is my opportunity."

"That is what it is all about, being a pro," Gentry said. "I can't even tell you the last time Harold played in a game. When we called on him, he got the job done."

Alonzo Mourning had 17 points, 12 rebounds and a season-high seven blocks for the Heat.

"Tonight was attributable to them outworking us," Mourning said. "I'm just worried about how we are playing. We didn't play well -- they outworked us. I can recall plenty of plays where I got my butt kicked. It's uncalled for and there is no reason for it."

Mourning got Miami within 69-67 with 9:34 left, but Michael Olowokandi had a six-foot jumper that ignited an 8-0 run.

Richardson followed Olowokandi's basket with a layup with 8:34 to go and Sean Rooks made it 75-67 with an 18-footer nearly two minutes later. McInnis capped the burst with a 13-footer from the left baseline with 4:17 remaining.

Rod Strickland ended a scoring drought of nearly six minutes and got Miami within 77-69 with 3:35 to play, but McInnis drained a 17-footer 19 seconds later and Rooks added a free throw with 2:16 to go for an 11-point cushion.

Miami scored the game's first six points and closed the opening quarter on a 10-4 run, taking a 25-19 lead after 12 minutes.

The Heat held a 31-23 lead with 6:12 left in the half when a basket by Rooks sparked a 17-2 run. Richardson was dominant during the spurt with nine points, including two free throws that put the Clippers in front, 40-33, with 94 seconds left.

"Quentin came up with some big baskets for us," Gentry added. "That kind of got us over the hump."

McInnis and Jamison opened the second half with baskets to give Los Angeles a 47-36 lead. Miami got no closer than three points until Mourning's basket early in the final quarter.