Ford Puts Emphasis on Straight-Up Defense

Early-season losses didn’t force Coach Chris Ford into making major changes with his system because the Clippers were competitive in nearly every game. But Ford’s view changed after a series of blowout defeats.

That’s why he simplified some of his players’ responsibilities on defense. Ford made a subtle adjustment by asking his team to not worry so much about helping out defensively and to concentrate more on sticking to the player being guarded. The result? The best three-game stretch of defense played the entire year, which was topped off with the Clippers’ first win Thursday night over Sacramento.

“Our defensive intensity was there . . . we had guys flying all over wanting the ball,” said Eric Piatkowski, who had 16 points off the bench against the Kings. “This was one of the first times that we played straight up all game long. We had no double-teams. We’ve done it the last couple of games a little bit and we played a lot better. Maybe that’s going to be our ticket. Just go ahead and everyone plays people one-on-one.”

As long as the team plays physically, Ford will continue to have the Clippers be more of an aggressive man-to-man team.

“It’s just something we switched to and the guys have picked up on it so we’ll stay with it,” said Ford, who has been pleased with the team’s overall effort.

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Falling apart whenever an opponent made a run in the second half was one of the reasons the Clippers lost their first 17 games. That did not happen when Sacramento rallied in the fourth quarter on Thursday.

“When they started coming back we started to get tense, thinking we worked this hard for nothing, but everyone contributed [to get the win],” Maurice Taylor said.

Added Darrick Martin: “I wasn’t worried because I know that in this league, guys are going to make a run. We had the lead and let it slip but I never thought that we lost control.”

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Lorenzen Wright’s 25 rebounds marked an NBA high this season. . . . The Clippers, who have been joked about by Jay Leno all year, were guests on Friday’s “Tonight Show.” Ford, along with most of the players, performed a skit at the beginning of the show.

TONIGHT

vs. Portland, 7:30

Fox Sports West 2

* Site--Sports Arena.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 1-17, Trail Blazers 15-4.

* Record vs. Trail Blazers (1997-98)--0-4.

* Update--The pressure of gaining their first win is now gone, but the Clippers still have other streaks to work on. Portland has won eight in a row and has not lost to the Clippers since April 8, 1996.

* Tickets--(213) 745-0400.