Life’s a Treadmill for Richardson

Pooh Richardson, who hardly worked up a sweat in Friday night’s 83-74 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, headed straight for the treadmill after the game.

Richardson, who played only seven minutes in Wednesday night’s 15-point loss at San Antonio, played only 12 minutes against the Hawks.

He was held out of the Atlanta game for the final three quarters and has scored only six points in the last two games.

Coach Bill Fitch inserted Darrick Martin after Richardson was unable to contain Spur point guard Avery Johnson, who finished with a career-high 20 assists against the Clippers.

Fitch didn’t use Richardson in the second quarter against Atlanta after reserves Keith Closs, Eric Piatkowski, Maurice Taylor and Darrick Martin outscored the Hawks, 22-6, to take the lead in the second quarter.

Fitch started James Robinson, who was ejected from the Spur game, in the third quarter and used Martin in the fourth.

Richardson, who lashed out at Fitch last season, has held his tongue this season.

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Rookie forward Maurice Taylor didn’t back down when Hawk forward Chucky Brown challenged him to a fight after they tangled going for a loose ball with 2:15 remaining.

“I’m not going to take that from nobody,” said Taylor, who fouled out of his last two games.

TONIGHT

Los Angeles at Seattle

* 5

* Fox Sports West 2

Site--KeyArena.

Radio--KEZY (95.9), LITE (92.7).

Records--Clippers 4-18, SuperSonics 17-5.

Record vs. SuperSonics (1996-97 season)--1-3.

Update--The Clippers play two consecutive games against the SuperSonics, who have the NBA’s best record. Seattle has won nine consecutive home games after losing its home opener. The Clippers have lost nine of 11 road games.