Martin Gains Good Reviews

Former UCLA point guard Darrick Martin, who signed with the Clippers last month, has played well in the first two exhibition games.

Martin made two free throws with 2.1 seconds remaining as the Clippers beat the Atlanta Hawks, 84-82, last Sunday at State College, Pa.

“Darrick has penetrated and done a good job of running the team,” Coach Bill Fitch said. “He played the fourth quarter against Detroit and he played the fourth quarter against Atlanta when were behind [by 11 points]. He was the difference.”

*

Fitch said the defense, which has allowed an average of 83 points, was ahead of the offense in the Clippers’ first two exhibition games.

“Defensively, if you hold somebody to 82 points in this day and age, it’s good,” Fitch said. “We held Detroit to 84 points, but we got beat because we scored 14 points in the fourth quarter.”

*

Swingman Charles Outlaw is experimenting with wearing protective eye goggles after being poked in the eye several times during the summer league. . . . The Clippers end the four-game trip tonight against the Hawks at Montgomery, Ala.