Manning Still Running After Exhibitions : Clippers: He completes his first preseason stint in L.A. Rivers makes his debut in 98-93 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The Clippers closed the exhibition schedule Sunday afternoon with a 98-93 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Sports Arena. Danny Manning played.

That’s not usually news, except that this was the first time Manning has avoided injury or a contract dispute and taken part in all of training camp, which officially ends Thursday.

In his fourth season, the former No. 1 pick finally will have a running start heading into the regular season.

“I’ll have to wait and see,” Manning, who scored 20 points, said when asked if he thinks playing a full exhibition season will help. “It should. But there aren’t too many certainties in this business.”

Said Coach Mike Schuler: “I have never seen him play as good and as hard for as long a time. On both ends of the court, he did a real good job.”

The Clippers finished their exhibition season with a 4-4 record, two of the victories coming against Maccabi.

The Clippers are off until playing at Sacramento Friday night, with three cuts due, probably Tuesday or Wednesday.

Also Sunday, Doc Rivers made his Clipper debut and had an uneventful 11 minutes.

Rivers’ time should increase in the regular season, but Schuler said Gary Grant will be the starting point guard against the Kings.