Collins Gets Earliest Call

Guard James Collins, who had played only 27 minutes in nine games this season, had season-bests of 11 points and 12 minutes in Wednesday night’s 109-86 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Collins, who hadn’t played more than nine minutes in a game this season, made his earliest entrance with 2:49 remaining in the first quarter.

“That’s the way the ball bounces,” Collins said. “Everybody wants to play, but somebody has always got to be the man that doesn’t play.

” I just try to stay ready for whenever I get a chance to play. I just sit back and try to stay ready for whenever [Clipper Coach Bill Fitch] calls me.”

Collins made all four of his shots, including two three-point baskets. He also had one rebound and one steal.

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Clipper forward Eric Piatkowski is establishing himself as the player Fitch envisioned when he called him the next Larry Bird at an NBA predraft camp in 1994.

Piatkowski, starting in place of injured guard Brent Barry, had 22 points in Tuesday night’s loss to the Houston Rockets and had 17 points against the Spurs.

Piatkowski, who averaged 15.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 35.5 minutes in eight games as a starter after Barry injured his left leg last November, made nine of 14 shots, including three three-pointers against the Rockets and six of 11 shots, including a three-point basket against the Spurs.

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Center Stojko Vrankovic, who received five stitches in Tuesday night’s game against the Rockets after being elbowed by Kevin Willis, played only six minutes in the first quarter before leaving with flu-like symptoms.