PRO BASKETBALL / DAILY REPORT : CLIPPERS : Roberts Has a Sore Knee

Center Stanley Roberts did not dress against the Utah Jazz because of a sore left knee.

Roberts is expected to return to the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons at the Sports Arena. This is the third minor injury to the knee since training camp. Elmore Spencer started at center.

“The first period against the Lakers, I was really in pain,” Roberts said of Friday’s game at the Forum, when he played 12 minutes. “I tried to come back in the third period, but couldn’t. It (the knee) was really sore.”

Six months have passed since the Clippers lost to the Jazz in the first round of the playoffs, including a defeat in the deciding Game 5 after leading by 17 points during the first half. On their first visit back to the Delta Center since, the players didn’t seem fazed. “Last year was last year, this year is this year,” Ron Harper said. “It’s a new year. It’s a new team.”