Ford Hopes for Some Change

The Clippers will play Phoenix tonight for the second time in eight days and Coach Chris Ford is hoping that his team does a better job against the Suns’ talented forwards than they did in the season opener.

Led by Tom Gugliotta’s 24 points and 17 rebounds and Cliff Robinson’s 17 points, the Suns jumped all over the Clippers at the start of the second half with their big lineup. That’s one reason Ford will start Michael Olowokandi at center and Maurice Taylor at power forward tonight.

“We have to play good transition defense,” Ford said. “It’s going to require our [power forwards] and [centers] to really run the floor.”

Ford’s plan is to have the Clippers start fast with Olowokandi and Taylor, then maintain control with Lorenzen Wright and Rodney Rogers, two of the Clippers’ more experienced big men.

“I’m looking for us to get off to better starts,” said Ford, whose team has outscored opponents in the fourth quarter. “. . . We definitely can’t put ourselves in the hole and then try to play uphill all night long.”

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Opponents have shot 44% from the field, compared to the Clippers’ 41.7%. Lamond Murray said the team can no longer use Ford’s new system as an excuse for defensive breakdowns.

“It’s time for us to be able to put it down now,” he said. “There shouldn’t be any mistakes. We know what we need to do on defense. Right now, we’re breaking down and not doing our defensive rules and it’s hurting us in games.”

at Phoenix

6, Fox Sports West 2

* Site--America West Arena.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 0-3, Suns 2-2.

* Record vs. Suns--0-1.

* Update--Rodney Rogers, who sat out the last two games because of a right knee sprain, practiced Friday and will play tonight but Maurice Taylor will continue to start at power forward. Michael Olowokandi did not practice because of soreness in his knees but Ford expects him to start tonight. Backup center Keith Closs will also be available after sitting out practice Friday because of a knee injury. The Suns have lost their last two games.