Murray Thrives as a Reserve

Without much notice, swingman Lamond Murray has put together a string of strong games off the bench for the Clippers and could challenge for the league’s Sixth Man award by the end of the season.

Murray, a starter for the first 13 games, has scored in double digits in 11 consecutive games while shooting 46% from the field. He has also rebounded well in averaging nearly five rebounds over the span and has given better effort defensively.

As one of the team’s veterans who has gone through some tough times with the Clippers, Murray enjoyed beating Utah by 26 points Saturday night.

“We stuck in there and we pushed on from start to finish, we didn’t keep looking at the score and say we have to hold on to the lead,” Murray said. “We were consistent throughout the whole night.”

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The Jazz discovered what a lot of teams have learned lately: If you do not double team Clipper rookie center Michael Olowokandi, he’ll make you pay.

“Our plan was to have our centers guard him alone unless he moved to the middle,” Utah’s Jeff Hornacek said. “He really didn’t do that. He kept turning to the baseline with a turnaround jumper or [jump hook].”

Over his last four games, Olowokandi has averaged 12.5 points and 12.5 rebounds and against the Jazz he added a new dimension with three steals. More important, since playing only seven minutes because of foul trouble against Sacramento on March 11, Olowokandi has been able to avoid touch fouls.

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Forward Rodney Rogers is questionable for tonight’s game at Denver because of a right knee contusion, which kept him out of Saturday’s victory over Utah. Guard Charles Smith also did not play against the Jazz because of a minor knee injury but is probable for tonight.

TONIGHT

vs. Denver, 6 p.m.

* Site--McNichols Arena.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 3-24; Nuggets 7-22.

Record vs. Nuggets (1997-98)--2-2.

Update--The Clippers will be seeking their third win in five games, while the Nuggets will be trying to end a four-game losing streak. Rookie forward Brian Skinner played a season-high 23 minutes against Utah and had four blocked shots. Denver’s Antonio McDyess, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, had 39 points and 12 rebounds in a home loss to Washington on Saturday.