Dunleavy says home wins crucial

Hopes of an 82-0 run are dashed, but the Clippers can still beef up their attractive start to the season with the help of some home cooking.

They play eight of their next 11 games at Staples Center, starting with tonight’s matchup against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Clippers will look to prove the start isn’t a fluke as seven of the games in that span come against teams that made the playoffs last season.

The Clippers started last season with a 6-0 run at home, the best in the franchise’s history.

“It’s always important to win your home games,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “You win all your home games and win some of your games on the road and you are a playoff team.

“Your home court’s got to be your cushion for the potential perils on the road. But your first key to win games is playing hard and if you play hard, good things will happen for you.”

Before the team’s 2-1 road swing, Dunleavy said the team would look for an identity on the road.

He said they found one and once again, that “V” word cropped up.

“I think basically what it comes down to, our identity is going to be our versatility and defense,” Dunleavy said. “To me, that’s what it has to be about. We’ve always kind of tried to be a good defensive team first and then from there, offensively figure out what it takes to win a game.”

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The Midwest trip the Clippers completed doubled as a reunion tour.

First up was Chicago, where Illinoisans Corey Maggette, Shaun Livingston and Aaron Williams played host. After the Clippers’ victory, the trio converged with a group of family and friends that took up an entire section.

Next was Indianapolis, where Dunleavy coached against his son, Mike Dunleavy Jr., for the 16th time.

The tour wrapped up in Detroit with Chris Kaman’s family parking an RV at the game and another 130 of his friends purchasing tickets. And Paul Davis, who attended Michigan State, also had a gathering of more than 100 people at the game.

“I always enjoy being back here and seeing a lot of people that I don’t normally get to see,” Davis said.

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After the 103-79 loss to Detroit, the Clippers dropped to 10th in the league in scoring average at 103 points per game. They went into Detroit averaging 109 points per game, second best in the league behind the Utah Jazz. . . . With Friday’s game, Maggette moved ahead of Gary Grant for fifth place on the Clippers’ all-time list in games played.

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TONIGHT

vs. Cleveland, 6:30, Ch. 5

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Clippers 4-1, Cavaliers 3-3.

Record vs. Cavaliers (2006-07) -- 0-2.

Update -- Cleveland is 2-2 on a long Western Conference trip. The Cavaliers beat Sacramento on Friday. James averaged 19.5 points and had 13 rebounds in two wins over the Clippers last season.

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jonathan.abrams@latimes.com