Dunleavy takes what he can get from Cassell

Sam Cassell has become the Clippers’ version of a pinch-hitter.

Cassell has been slowed by injuries all season, so Coach Mike Dunleavy has adjusted, turning to the point guard only during key stretches in games. Cassell -- among the NBA’s top clutch shooters -- provides scoring and leadership off the bench, though not as often lately as he or the Clippers would prefer.

Cassell’s status is determined game to game, so it’s difficult for Dunleavy to plan ahead. And even when Cassell has been on the active list for games recently, he sometimes sits out.

But with a playoff berth at stake, Cassell’s teammates said they would take what they could get.

“With Sam out, everyone else has been trying to come in and help us be more productive,” Corey Maggette said. “We can’t feel sorry for ourselves, we just have to pick up the slack, but we need him. We need that veteran leadership.

“We have veterans, but Sam is the ultimate veteran. Sam is the ultimate big-shot maker that we need. In the end, we need him to be healthy. We can’t have him in and out. We’re just holding down the fort and waiting for him to return.”

Cassell, 37, has appeared in only five of the last 13 games. He played fewer than 17 minutes in three of those games.

“It would definitely help to have Sam out there hitting those big shots like he has his whole career, but he’s just not healthy right now,” Elton Brand said. “Whatever we can get, no doubt, that’s definitely a plus.”

Cassell needs significant time off for his injuries to heal, team trainer Jasen Powell said, which he won’t get if the Clippers maintain the eighth spot in the Western Conference standings. The situation is what it is, Dunleavy said.

“You’re weighing a lot of options,” he said. “I say to myself, ‘How long have I had him sitting there? Is this a time I can use him?’ It’s a tough call on nights where he says he can give us something.

“If we’ve got it going good, and you don’t want to take a chance on having him tweak it again, you might as well give him more rest. You have to see how it goes.”

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Dunleavy has tweaked the offense to have more ball movement because of the problems at point guard.

In addition to Cassell’s limitations, fellow point guard Shaun Livingston is sidelined for the season after having reconstructive knee surgery, newcomer Jason Hart is still learning the offense and second-year player Daniel Ewing is more suited to play the other guard spot.

Dunleavy has given Maggette and Cuttino Mobley increased playmaking responsibilities.

“Corey and Cat have been doing a great job making plays for other guys,” center Chris Kaman said. “They’re really giving us what we need.”

jason.reid@latimes.com