Taylor Looking for Malone

Two wins in a row and three over a four-game span have the Clippers feeling pretty good about themselves heading into tonight’s game against Utah at the Sports Arena.

But they will not catch a sleeping Jazz team that lost by 26 points to the Clippers less than three weeks ago. Power forward Maurice Taylor, who has averaged 20.5 points and 10.5 rebounds the last two games, wants it that way.

Taylor says he is ready for his matchup with Utah’s Karl Malone, who was ejected because of rough play between the two in the Clippers’ 103-77 win at the Arrowhead Pond on March 27.

“I hope [Malone comes to play]; it wouldn’t be any fun if he didn’t,” said Taylor, who after sitting out two games because of sore Achilles’ tendons, credits a recent session with his chiropractor for his pain-free play this week.

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One reason for the Clippers’ success against Utah last month was that they were able to slow down the Jazz’s famed pick-and-roll. The Clippers were aggressive enough to force Utah into bad shots. Coach Chris Ford is hoping for more of the same tonight.

“We’ve got to defend it. . . . We’re going to see it. They have the best examples we’ll see [this season],” Ford said. “We have to make sure that we’re doing what we’re supposed to. Then, we’ll take the consequences after that.”

TONIGHT vs. Utah Channel 9, 7:30

* Site--Sports Arena.

* Radio--KCTD (1540).

* Records--Clippers 6-31, Jazz 29-8.

* Record vs. Jazz--1-1.

* Update--Utah has won eight in a row and is tied with Portland for the best record in the league. Malone, averaging 23.6 points and 9.3 rebounds, was suspended for a game this week for an elbow incident against Houston.

* Tickets--(213) 745-0500.