Olowokandi to Get His First Start

Rookie Michael Olowokandi, who had his best game as a pro Wednesday night against Vancouver, will get his first start at center Saturday night against Phoenix. Coach Chris Ford told Lorenzen Wright and Olowokandi about the change after Thursday’s practice, instructing them not to read too much into the move.

“It’s because of matchups,” Ford said. “We wanted Michael in there because [the Suns] start Luc [Longley] at that spot. It would be easier for him to guard [Longley]. . . . I didn’t do it the first time around but I think it’s much easier now for us to get the best matchup situation you can.”

Olowokandi, who had 17 points and nine rebounds at Vancouver, came off the bench in the season opener against Phoenix and faced Danny Manning, who is more of a forward. Ford hopes to gain an advantage with Olowokandi facing Longley and Wright against Phoenix’s smaller big men.

‘He’s making strides,” Ford said of Olowokandi. “The kid is coming along. . . . He has a ton of things being thrown at him and . . . he keeps responding in a really positive way. We just have to keep building upon it. Not only his game but the rest of the ballplayers.”

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Although they have been close in all three losses, the Clippers have been unable to shake their losing ways, which is a concern for Ford.

“It’s tough, with what they have endured the last few years,” said the coach, who inherited 11 players from last season’s 17-65 team. “Sometimes they still easily lose their concentration and get down on themselves. . . . When you make a mistake on one end of the floor, you have to go back on the other end and make sure you do something positive. If your shot is not dropping, make sure you get back and play good defense.”

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Forward Rodney Rogers, who has been sidelined the last two games because of right knee sprain, practiced and, if he does not have any problems at today’s workout, will play Saturday at Phoenix.