Clippers Looking Beyond Victory 42

The Clippers reached one magic number Tuesday night, but put the celebration on hold while waiting on another.

Victory No. 42, by 115-108 over the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center, guaranteed the Clippers their first winning season since 1978-79.

But the magic number to eliminate Houston and clinch their first playoff spot since 1975-76 is at five, thanks to the Rockets’ 95-92 victory at San Antonio.

The Clippers (42-34) completed their final extended trip of the season at 3-2, the losses coming at Cleveland and Chicago, and finished a stretch during which they played nine of 11 on the road at 8-3.

“No big deal,” is how Danny Manning termed the 42nd victory.

Why not?

“The season’s not over,” he said after getting 18 points and 15 rebounds. “There is no need to be content. There is no need to be satisfied. There’s still more to be accomplished.”

Added Charles Smith: “I don’t think anybody is really looking at this as a winning season and a time to celebrate. We still want to make the playoffs, and we still have more games ahead to win. If we don’t make the playoffs, it’s still like having a losing season.”

Smith moved to center in the starting lineup, a long-anticipated move by Coach Larry Brown. Smith is expected to occupy the spot for the final six games of the regular season and in the event of playoffs, but it is the first time Smith has played the position since his senior season at Pittsburgh in 1987-88.

Smith saw the change coming, but had no idea it would happen against the Timberwolves until arriving at the Target Center. James Edwards, moved to backup in what Brown hopes will mean scoring punch off the bench, regarded the move as inevitable and said he looked forward to his new role.

“Charles just had to get in shape and get the knee stronger,” said Edwards, who had 16 points. “Now I think it’s strong enough, the way he’s dunking on everybody.”

Ron Harper, who suffered a sprained left ankle Thursday at Cleveland in the second game of the trip, had 24 points after getting 20 against the Cavaliers and 30 the next night at Chicago. His only bad game since the injury was Sunday at Milwaukee, and that had more to do with five-of-17 shooting than with limited mobility.

Ken Norman continues to get separate heat and ice packs to sooth the lower back spasms that forced him to miss the first three games. He made 10 of 16 shots for 20 points and added 10 rebounds in his return against Milwaukee and was 12 of 14 for 26 points and 10 rebounds against the Timberwolves, meaning Norman is averaging 16.3 points and seven rebounds and shooting 63.1% in his last seven games.

“I’m not 100% now, but it’s time for everyone to step up,” he said.

Clipper Notes

Charles Smith said constant knee problems dating to arthroscopic surgery in training camp are finally behind him. “It definitely feels back to normal,” he said after getting 22 points, six rebounds and four blocks in 31 minutes in his first start since Feb. 5. . . . The Clippers have committed no more than 13 turnovers in three of their last four games. . . . Pooh Richardson had a team-high 23 points and a game-high 15 assists to lead the Timberwolves.