PRO BASKETBALL : Clippers Face Lakers in Las Vegas

Clipper center Elmore Spencer will start in place of Stanley Roberts when the Clippers (2-0) face the Lakers (1-1) in an exhibition tonight in Las Vegas.

Spencer, who averaged 2.4 points and 1.4 rebounds as a rookie last season, has averaged 13 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots in two exhibitions.

“He’s played better (than Roberts),” Coach Bob Weiss said. “Right now he’s the starting center because Stanley just hasn’t been here enough to win the job. It doesn’t mean it will be that way opening night, but it could be.”

Roberts, who started 76 games last season, has been hampered by a back injury in training camp. He sat out the Clippers’ 132-117 exhibition victory over the Golden State Warriors last Saturday because of food poisoning, then had nine points, three rebounds and three blocked shots in 19 minutes in the 105-102 victory over Milwaukee on Sunday.