Elliott Teaford writes about the Clippers victory over the Suns on Friday as well as the impact of tonight's game with the Utah Jazz.

loss Friday would have been devastating to the Clippers' playoff hopes. After all, they have only nine games remaining. But by rallying from an 18-point deficit against the Suns, the ninth-place Clippers moved within 3? games of the eighth-place Jazz in the battle for the final Western Conference playoff spot.

The teams also play Wednesday at Salt Lake City.

Three seconds before McInnis' winning basket from the right wing, Marbury had tied the score, 94-94, by swishing a three-point basket over McInnis on the left wing. After a Clipper timeout, McInnis saved the season.