Clippers’ Focus Off Lakers

Late in the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ Game 5 clinching victory over Denver on Monday, a small chant of “Beat L.A.” began inside Staples Center.

But the cheer never gained steam among the fans, which is exactly how the Clippers want it as they look ahead to a possible showdown with the Lakers in the next round.

“It really doesn’t make a difference who we play,” said Corey Maggette, who had 23 points and five rebounds off the bench.

“It would be great to play [the Lakers]. It would be the first time in history that the two teams met in the playoffs. But it’s really about whatever happens, we’re ready.”

For the most part, the Clippers focused on enjoying their first-round victory over the Nuggets rather than the prospect of playing the Lakers.

“I knew that sooner or later that this day would come but you never really know,” Maggette said. “It was great to see our team out there playing so hard ... our fans were really behind us.”

Vladimir Radmanovic said the fans would need to keep up that enthusiasm if the Clippers do meet the Lakers next.

“If we don’t have the support now, we’ll never have it,” Radmanovic said. “Hopefully our fans realize that we’ll need them. They’re going to see the real Clippers in the second round and we’ll need our real fans, especially if we play the Lakers.”

If the Clippers play Phoenix, they will not have home-court advantage and the best-of-seven series would start next week. If they face the Lakers, the series could start this weekend if the Suns are eliminated in less than six games.