LOS ANGELES, May 2 (UPI) -- Cuttino Mobley and Corey Maggette each scored 23 points in the Los Angeles Clippers' 101-83 NBA playoff series-clinching romp over the Denver Nuggets.
The victory Monday gave the Clippers, who took the best-of-seven series in five games, their first playoff series win since 1976 when the franchise was in Buffalo. Los Angeles will face either the hometown-rival Lakers or the Phoenix Suns in the second round. The Lakers take a 3-1 series lead into a game with the Suns Tuesday.
The Clippers led 55-54 midway through the third period but closed the quarter with a 16-3 run and added the first 4 points of the fourth period for a 75-57 advantage. A breakaway jam from Mobley pushed the Los Angeles lead to 25 points midway through the fourth quarter.
The 46 points from Mobley and Maggette were backed by Elton Brand's 21-point, 13-rebound game.
Carmelo Anthony had 23 points and Greg Buckner 20 for the Nuggets.
