PHOENIX, Oct. 17 (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Clippers' first exhibition
meeting with an NBA team ended on a positive note.
Elton Brand scored 24 points, and Shaun Livingston added 21, as
the Clippers posted a 107-96 victory over the Phoenix Suns in a
preseason matchup.
After going 1-1 against CSKA Moscow and BC Khimki at NBA Europe
Live earlier this month, Los Angeles took care of business
against an opponent it is a little more familiar with. The
Clippers lost to the Suns in Game 7 of the Western
Conference semifinals here last season.
Brand, who made 7-of-14 shots, netted the first six points of a
decisive 8-0 burst in the third quarter for a 74-67 advantage
with 2:54 left.
Quinton Ross had 13 points, and Cuttino Mobleyadded 12 for Los
Angeles, which was without injured Sam Cassell (calf), Chris Kaman (hamstring) and former Sun Tim Thomas (back).
Leandro Barbosa scored 19 points and reigning two-time MVP Steve Nash collected 15 and five assists but also committed seven
turnovers for the Suns, who were outrebounded, 50-31.
Marcus Banks added 11 points and Amare Stoudemire had eight and
six boards in 19 minutes. He went 0-of-4 from the foul line.

NBA.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network