Maggette remains positive

Amid the poor shooting, building losses and hobbled players, Corey Maggette sees a glaring positive for the Clippers.

It is still relatively early.

“We are not out of it,” he said. “We really aren’t out of it and we still have some type of an opportunity to turn it around and try to get back on track.”

But the clock is ticking with the Clippers (9-15) already eight games behind the Phoenix Suns and at the bottom of the Pacific Division.

And with games against the Dallas Mavericks tonight, the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday and the Suns looming next week, the Clippers will have to try to turn things around against top Western Conference teams.

Dallas is 12-2 at home, and San Antonio is 13-1. The Clippers have been slightly better on the road (5-7) than at home (4-8).

“It’s tough,” Maggette said. “It doesn’t get easy when you have Dallas and San Antonio and right after them, Phoenix-Phoenix. Those are the elite teams in the league. We’ve got to come out and play near perfect games for us to win these games. Anything is possible.

“We come ready to play and give our all, we have an opportunity against anyone.”

Maggette also said that his strained hamstring is slowly improving. He is averaging 20.9 points and 6.6 rebounds.

“If we were a healthy team, we would be a pretty tough team to beat, but this league is about injuries and stuff happens and chemistry and the roster changes,” Maggette said. “You just have to fight through it.

“We don’t like taking those losses as learning experiences, but we have to now and try and get better.”

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Cuttino Mobley practiced with the team and should be available tonight after missing a game because of a stomach virus. Forward Aaron Williams, who has a bruised wrist, did not practice.

TONIGHT

at Dallas 6:30 PST, FSN PRIME/ESPN

Site -- American Airlines Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 9-15, Mavericks 18-9.

Record vs. Mavericks (2006-07) -- 1-2.

Update --The Clippers won the first meeting between the teams last season before dropping the next two in Dallas, including a 115-83 loss. Maggette averaged a team-best 18.3 points in the three games.

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jonathan.abrams@latimes.com