Clippers’ Kenyon Martin leading defensive effort

Defense is a “mind-set,” Kenyon Martin said, and the power forward was asked whether he is trying to bring that to the Clippers.

“I’m not trying to; I’m going to do it,” Martin said after the Clippers used a strong defensive effort to beat the Houston Rockets, 105-103 in overtime, Sunday. “It’s just who I am.”

The Clippers limited the Rockets to 43% shooting, 28.6% in the fourth quarter.

“It’s about effort first,” Martin said. “Communication is second. The effort is there. It’s just the guys learning how to defend as a unit.”

Foye working extra on his game

Before Sunday night’s game, Randy Foye said he was on the court making sure he did his workout “like it was game speed.”

The payoff for Foye, who jammed his right hip during the game, was being the second-leading scorer for the Clippers.

Foye had 15 points, missing only one of his seven shots, one of his four three-point attempts.

“I’m going to continue to do it,” Foye said. “But it’s so hard trying to do it with the game. You can’t go out there and go 100% for like 25 minutes working out and then you’ve got to come back out there and be a starter and play big minutes. So you’ve got to try to manage it and keep yourself with the right mind-set.”

Simmons looking for second 10-day contract

The 10-day contract Bobby Simmons signed with the Clippers on Feb. 27 is coming to a close, meaning the team has to make a decision on whether to offer the small forward another 10-day deal or release him.

The Clippers have until Wednesday to let Simmons know what they plan to do.

“I expect to have him back,” Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro said.

If the Clippers sign Simmons to a second 10-day contract, once that deal runs out they would have to sign him for the remainder of the season if they want to keep him.

“It goes by fast,” Simmons said. “But I’m just taking it one day at a time. I’m just blessed to be here.”

Simmons has played in every game since he joined the Clippers from the NBA’s Development League Reno team.

He didn’t score but had two rebounds against the Rockets on Sunday.

In four games with the Clippers, Simmons has averaged 4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in almost 18 minutes as the backup to starting small forward Caron Butler.

Etc.

Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, who had a 100.2-degree temperature during Friday night’s game at Phoenix, played Sunday in his hometown in front of family and friends. He finished with eight points, 11 rebounds and one blocked shot.

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