Los Angeles Clippers forward Elton Brand (C) shoots between Phoenix Suns Steve Nash (13) and Tim Thomas (L) during Game 6 of their NBA Western Conference semifinals playoff series in Los Angeles May 18, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters)

LOS ANGELES, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Elton Brand scored 30 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Clippers beat The Phoenix Suns 118-106 Thursday, forcing a Game 7 in their Western Conference semifinal series.

    Brand also blocked five shots while Corey Maggette added 25 points and eight boards. Both Brand and Maggette combined for 22 points in the fourth quarter.

    Quinton Ross had a career-high 18 points and Chris Kaman tallied 15 points and 10 boards for LA, while Sam Cassell had 15 points and eight assists. The hot-shooting Clippers nailed 61.5 percent from the field and outrebounded Phoenix 48-28.

    Shawn Marion tallied 34 points and nine rebounds for the Suns, who will face a Game 7 for a second consecutive series with the decider against the Clippers coming Monday night in Phoenix.

    Leandro Barbosa added 25 points and Steve Nash contributed 17 points and 11 assists for the Suns, who rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Lakers in the first round.

    The seventh game will again pit two teams at opposite ends of the playoff spectrum. The Suns are trying to make it to the West finals for a second straight year, while the Clipper franchise has never been to the conference finals.

    The Suns were behind by as many as 16 points in the third quarter, but cut the deficit to 88-81 heading into the fourth.

    Phoenix, however, didn't have an answer for Brand or Maggette. The duo combined for LA's first 17 points of the fourth, as the Clippers built their margin to 105-88 with 6:31 to go after a Brand running jumper. Enditem