Fitch, Clippers Don’t See Loss to Portland as Much of Setback

In the preseason, it’s not whether you won or lost. It’s who played the game.

So in that respect, the Clippers have to consider Friday night’s exhibition finale against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Sports Arena a successful outing.

Even though the Clippers lost, 97-85, their second setback against Portland in the preseason.

Even though the Clippers wound up with a 2-5 exhibition mark.

Even though they must face the same Trail Blazers, who finished the preseason at 5-2, in the Clippers’ home opener a week from today.

Despite all of that, the Clippers were excited about Friday night’s game, played in front of 4,568, because it marked the first appearance of guard James Robinson, who has been out with a bone bruise on his right foot since the first week of training camp.

Robinson, who entered the game in the third quarter, showed no lack of mobility in racing up and down the court. And no lack of confidence.

He came out firing, winding up with eight points in eight minutes, including a pair of three-point baskets.

“That was the good part,” Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said of Friday’s game, referring to Robinson. “He had no pain out there. But when he gets up [today], he’ll probably reach for the ice.”

Forward Rodney Rogers was the Clippers’ leader in points (15) and rebounds (nine), in only 19 minutes.

For Portland, guard Isaiah Rider was high-point man with 15, center Arvydas Sabonis the leading rebounder with 14.

With 2:28 to play and the Clippers down by 13, Fitch put in his reserves to finish the game.

“I don’t want them to get frustrated at this point with wins and losses,” Fitch said of his players.

There’ll be plenty of time for that once the regular season begins.