Healthy Approach Is Priority for Gentry

The Clippers took it easy Sunday.

Coach Alvin Gentry didn’t want to put any more stress on his banged up team than absolutely necessary during its practice at L.A. Southwest College. So, the Clippers shot a few baskets and worked on a few low-impact drills to prepare for tonight’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center.

“We’re hoping we’ll find a chance to recover a little bit,” Gentry said. “We’ll probably just take the whole day off Tuesday.”

The Clippers probably will skip practice and fly Tuesday to Miami to begin a five-game trip Wednesday against the much-improved Heat.

Darius Miles, a reserve forward, was the latest to suffer an injury. He banged his right forearm on the rim during the Clippers’ victory Saturday against the Dallas Mavericks.

Miles and forward Corey Maggette, who has been nursing a sore left knee for most of two months, are expected to play tonight. The status of reserve guard Quentin Richardson, who sprained his left foot at practice Friday, will be determined at game time. Richardson did not play Saturday.

In addition, Gentry believes it will be some time before backup point guard Keyon Dooling regains his form. Dooling, who has played limited minutes in two games after being sidelined since Nov. 14 by a sprained left ankle, can’t yet go at full speed.

“He’s still got a ways to go,” Gentry said of Dooling, who had two points in five minutes Saturday. “He’s going on adrenaline right now. It’s still going to take time before he gets his shot back.”

TONIGHT

vs. Portland

7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KXTA (1150).

Records--Clippers 26-27, Trail Blazers 27-24.

Record vs. Trail Blazers--1-2.

Update--The Clippers end a three-game home stand tonight, then hit the road to play Miami, Orlando, Indiana, Memphis and Houston in a pivotal trip. The Clippers defeated Dallas and lost to the San Antonio Spurs in their first two games after the All-Star break. The Clipper-Trail Blazer series has been lopsided this season. Portland won the last meeting Jan. 19 by 113-93 after leading by 38 points at one point in the second half. The Trail Blazers also won, 119-101, in November. The Clippers took a 112-97 victory Jan. 1 from Portland.

Tickets--(800) 462-2849.

Elliott Teaford