"Good teams make plays to win games down the stretch, particularly on the road," Van Gundy said.

He won it after a dramatic duel down the homestretch that gave all nine horses in the race a shot.

The Clippers won their 20th game of the season against 38 losses with simple basketball and key baskets down the stretch.

The tactic did not quite work; Federer won the point with a crisp forehand winner down the line.

It certainly would be better if we won a few more games down the stretch.

"Suffolk wins hands down every year for most traffic fatalities," he said.

They won 15 out of 16 down the stretch.

He won the Kentucky Derby last year with that dramatic closing rush down the middle of the track.

Thus, a foe for every step, they won their way down the long hall.

"Look at Rutgers and the way they won so many games down the stretch," he said.