They’re Backing Toward Playoff Berth

Contending for their first playoff berth in four years, the Clippers are showing signs of fatigue, losing two consecutive games and six of their last nine.

“This is not pretty right now,” forward Loy Vaught said after Thursday night’s 108-96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. “You want to feel like you’re peaking at this point, but we feel like we need to figure out some things.

“I’m not being critical, but I don’t like the style we’ve been going with lately.”

Vaught refused to elaborate, saying, “I don’t want to go there.”

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Guard Terry Dehere, who was held out of five of 11 games last month by Coach Bill Fitch, has played a key role this month, averaging 13.3 points in his last four games after averaging only 5.6 points last month.

“I’ve been getting some good looks,” Dehere said. “I’m just getting consistent minutes. Having a feel for when you’re going to go in the game is pretty good too.

“It’s cool if you come off the bench and they run [plays] for you and you’re getting good looks. Anybody would like that.”

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Center Rich Manning, who signed a 10-day contract on April 1, has been signed for the rest of the season. Manning, who was waived by the Vancouver Grizzlies in January, has averaged three points and 1.4 rebounds in five games with the Clippers.