Mobley is content with role

CHICAGO -- In two seasons as a Clipper, Cuttino Mobley had played in 157 games and started 147 of them.

That’s 147 times running through a tunnel of teammates at the end of pregame introductions and standing with his feet on the court at tipoff.

With those type of numbers, it figured the whole substitution thing would take some getting used to.

Not for Mobley, who scored 21 and 17 points coming off the bench the first two games, sinking clutch shots down the stretch in each game. He scored 28 points combined the second half of the first two games.

“It’s a little different,” Mobley said. “You’ve got to change your whole mind-set. You’ve got to attack instead of letting the game come to you.”

Mobley made his first start of the season against the Bulls on Tuesday because Coach Mike Dunleavy liked the matchup problems he created. Mobley figures to play a dual role this season as a starter and a reserve.

Last season, he volunteered for the role, but Dunleavy opted to start him. He volunteered again this season and Dunleavy accepted, praising Mobley as a team player.

In the off-season, Mobley had arthroscopic surgery on his shooting elbow and worked on his shooting, driving and finishing near the rim.

“I love what he’s doing,” Dunleavy said. “He’s been great both offensively and defensively for us. When he played in Houston, he was a big-time isolation player. And there are times, particularity at the end of the shot clock when you are trying to run time down, he’s a good guy to put the ball in his hands.”

Mobley has played at least 30 minutes in the first three games.

“I like our team,” Mobley said. “We are solid. We aren’t spectacular, but we are solid.”

The team voted Mobley and Sam Cassell as team captains.

“We have a lot of guys who can help out,” Dunleavy said. “But they are two older guys and I think the guys look up to them.”

Guard Brevin Knight made his first start of the season. . . . Forward Aaron Williams made his season debut after being limited by a strained right calf. . . . Josh Powell was inactive for Tuesday’s game. . . . There are still seats available for Sunday’s home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tickets can be purchased by calling (800) 462-2849.

--

TONIGHT

at Indiana, 4 PST, Prime Ticket

Site -- Conseco Fieldhouse.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 3-0, Pacers 3-0.

Record vs. Pacers (2006-07) -- 1-1.

Update -- The Clippers play their first set of consecutive games this season. They held the Pacers to 64 points in a win last March to set a franchise record for fewest points given up in a game. Indiana is a surprising 3-0 for only the second time in the last 12 years.

jonathan.abrams@latimes.com