Austin’s Power Seems to Fade

The euphoria over the acquisition of center Isaac Austin has faded.

The Clippers had hoped that the 6-foot-10, 270-pound center would strengthen them enough in the middle to stem the losses. But the Clippers’ record since the Feb. 19 trade with the Miami Heat that brought Austin to Los Angeles for Brent Barry is actually worse than it was before.

Their pre-Austin record was 11-42 for a winning percentage of .262. Since then, they are 4-12 (.250).

The problem has been inconsistency. In his first eight games as a Clipper, Austin never scored fewer than 16 points. In the eight games since, he has reached that level only once, scoring 18 against the Portland Trail Blazers, and has averaged 11.6. When Austin grabbed 11 rebounds in Wednesday night’s loss to the New York Knicks, it was only the third time he has reached double figures in rebounds in the last 11 games.

Before the trade for Austin, Lorenzen Wright was getting most of the playing time at center for the Clippers. But, sidelined for five games because of a sprained ankle, Wright has struggled to score.

TONIGHT

vs. Minnesota

* 7:30

Site--Sports Arena.

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

Records--Clippers 15-54, Timberwolves 36-34.

Record vs. Timberwolves--0-2.

Update--After winning 20 of the first 29 games between these teams, the Clippers were edged by the Timberwolves, 98-96, in November 1996 at Minnesota and haven’t been able to beat them since. Their losing streak against the Timberwolves has reached five . Wednesday night’s loss to the New York Knicks was the Clippers’ fourth in a row.