Brand still glad for test on road of contenders

The Clippers have had a chance to be spoilers. But it hasn’t worked out that way.

They have lost four consecutive games and three to playoff-hunting teams. Their season ends with another trio of daunting road opponents – tonight against the Golden State Warriors, followed by the New Orleans Hornets and Houston Rockets.

In their latest loss, Thursday’s manhandling by the Lakers, Elton Brand and Al Thornton combined to make 19 shots. The rest of the team converted only 11 of 46 shots.

Still Brand sees potential in his team. In his fifth game of the season, he jumped out of the gate quickly with 15 points in the first quarter but tired as the game progressed.

“It was good to go out there and play against one of the upper-echelon teams, fighting for No. 1 in the West,” he said. “I wish we had our full complement so we could really see where we are.

“That’s what I was coming back for, expecting to have Corey Maggette, Chris Kaman, and then our bench could have fared a little better. It’s disappointing, but I’m glad I came back and just got to play with these guys a little bit.”

Maggette, who sat out his second game because of a strained right hamstring, is probable against the Warriors. Guard Quinton Ross is doubtful after bumping his left leg against the Lakers.

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Thursday marked the first time the Clippers were on TNT. Their analysts keyed in on Thornton, who earned Kenny Smith’s “My team is whack but I’m not,” Award.

“No one knows who [Thornton] is, but he’s athletic and he hustles,” he said.

Added Reggie Miller on Thornton’s odds of landing on the all-rookie team: “He got off to a slow start this year, but he’s come a long way. You’ve got to put [Al] Horford and[Kevin] Durant on there and I like [Thaddeus] Young. [Thornton] has played well, he’s played steady with all the injuries out and he does things for this Clipper team, outside and inside. I’d say he’d make the first team.”

TONIGHT

at Golden State, 7:30, Ch. 5

Site – Oracle Arena.

Radio – 710.

Records – Clippers 23-56, Warriors 47-32.

Record vs. Warriors – 1-2.

Update – The Warriors may be on the outside looking in on the playoff hunt after losing to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.

jonathan.abrams@latimes.com