LOS ANGELES, Oct. 27 (Ticker) -- Making their final push to earn a
roster spot with the Los Angeles Clippers, Boniface N'Dong and
Yuta Tabuse left a lasting impression.
N'Dong scored 12 points and Tabuse added eight in the fourth
quarter as the Clippers closed out their preseason with a 94-92
triumph over the Seattle SuperSonics.
A 28-year-old native of Senegal, N'Dong made 5-of-12 shots and
2-of-3 free throws in 23 minutes. The 7-footer added three
rebounds, two assists and a steal.
N'Dong's main competition for the Clippers' roster spot, Tabuse
was just as impressive. The Japanese point guard scored all eight of
his points in the first 5 1/2 minutes of the fourth
quarter and added three assists, two rebounds and a steal in 16
minutes.
Elton Brand led Los Angeles with 14 points and six rebounds in
22 minutes and Chris Kaman, who had missed the last three games
with a bruised left hand, added 13 points.
The Clippers, who finished the preseason with a 6-2 record, open the regular season Wednesday at Seattle.
Rashard Lewis' 25 points paced the Sonics. Fellow All-Star
Ray Allen added 19 for Seattle, which shot 43 percent
(31-of-72) and committed 20 turnovers.
