Quintin Dailey

Forward Tom Chambers of the Seattle SuperSonics broke the Clippers' hearts. Chambers, an ex-Clipper, tipped in a missed shot by teammate Dale Ellis with three seconds left in overtime to lead the SuperSonics to a 114-112 win Saturday night at the Sports Arena. Ellis exploded for 41 points as Seattle won its third straight, and Chambers added 30. The Clippers tied the score at 112-112 with seven seconds remaining in the extra period when guard Larry Drew buried a three-pointer.

Guard Quintin Dailey of the Clippers used to figure that cocaine was his only friend. Of course, it wasn't. It was his worst enemy. "I'd be dead or in jail if I hadn't stopped using coke," said Dailey, who has been off drugs for 22 months. An orphan at 13, Dailey grew up as a loner. He said he used drugs because he felt he had nobody to turn to. "(Cocaine) gave me someone to talk to," said Dailey, who has been through drug rehabilitation three times in the last four years.

The Atlanta Hawks ran away from the Clippers, 90-79, Tuesday night at the Sports Arena. However, the Clippers were able to turn the Hawks' showtime fast break into slow time with a harassing, pressure defense. The Clippers' offense hasn't caught up with the defense yet, which is why they sputtered in the second half, scoring just 37 points. Los Angeles shot 22.2% in the third quarter, hitting only 4 of 18 shots.

The popcorn story tells a lot about Quintin Dailey, the newest L.A. Clipper, about where he's been and where he's at. It happened two seasons ago. Quintin was a Chicago Bull, among other serious problems. The Bulls were playing the Spurs in San Antonio, and Dailey came out of the game, complaining of back spasms. He was through for the night. He sat on the bench. He got hungry. He summoned a ball boy and had the ball boy jog over to press row and borrow $5 from one of the Chicago writers.

Quintin Dailey made two free throws with three seconds left in overtime Saturday night to give the lowly Clippers only their seventh win in 44 NBA games this season, a 114-113 victory over the Utah Jazz. Dailey sent the game into overtime with a jump shot from the key to tie the score at 104-104. He finished with 28 points, including all 14 free throws, as the Clippers won for only the second time in 22 road games.

Quintin Dailey is back and, presumably, free of his cocaine habit. The Clippers can't be entirely sure of that, however, since they were not allowed to test him for drugs before signing him. Only the league is allowed to test him, and only if he shows cause, such as missing practices, games, team planes and buses, or shows up consistently late. Dailey, a two-time drug loser who has been out of the National Basketball Assn.

The Clippers have reached an oral agreement with free-agent guard Quintin Dailey, team President Alan Rothenberg said Tuesday. The Clippers sent an offer sheet to Dailey's agents in Chicago and are hopeful that he will sign today or Thursday. The Chicago Bulls, who hold the National Basketball Assn. rights to Dailey, will have 15 days from the time they receive the offer sheet to decide whether to match it or let him go.

Center Benoit Benjamin will be out with a sprained right knee when the Clippers play the Portland Trail Blazers tonight at Portland. Kurt Nimphius will start in place of Benjamin. Benjamin was examined Monday by Dr. Tony Daly, the team physician. Daly said that Benjamin should be able to play again Thursday night against the New York Knicks. Meanwhile, point guard Darnell Valentine was activated and will make his season debut tonight.

Some National Basketball Assn. observers say that signing guard Quintin Dailey, the troubled former Chicago Bull, is a bad risk. But the injury-riddled Clippers are in a bad way. So, they sent Dailey an offer sheet Tuesday. If all goes as expected, Dailey could be in uniform as early as Sunday, when the Clippers play the Lakers at the Forum. Dailey is expected to fill in for injured guard Marques Johnson. "We've offered him a contract.

Quintin Dailey, dropped by the Chicago Bulls after four seasons, signed with the Jacksonville Jets of the Continental Basketball Assn.