Unity Gets an Early Test

The togetherness the Clippers displayed early in training camp is being tested two games into the season.

The team’s effort has not been bad, but in starting the season 0-2, the Clippers have looked like the inexperienced team they are.

“We know our roles. . . . It’s just not the same as it was in preseason,” power forward Brian Skinner said. “We’re playing hard, we’re trying to play together. It’s not anything you can pinpoint to say you’re not doing this and not doing that. It’s the whole picture collectively.”

The Clippers are struggling with consistency. They have shown sparks of being competitive but have hurt themselves with mental mistakes.

“We have to jell, find our niche and that harmony again,” Skinner said. “We don’t have that right now.”

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Some Portland players said they were glad to play the Clippers early in the season after their 23-point win at the Rose Garden on Wednesday.

“The Clippers are one of those dangerous teams,” Portland’s Damon Stoudamire said. “They are up and coming. They have a lot of solid young players.”

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Philadelphia all-star Allen Iverson, who will make his first Los Angeles appearance in more than a year tonight when the Clippers host the 76ers at Staples Center, recently said he has lost his love of the game.

With the 76ers struggling with injuries (big men Matt Geiger and Theo Ratliff are on the injured list), Iverson told the Philadelphia Daily News he’s not having fun anymore.

“I know the whole game is not about money, but you are getting a check, you’re not out here playing for free, for fun, but lately it hasn’t been fun for me,” said Iverson, earning $9 million this season in the first year of a six-year, $70.9-million extension.

“For whatever reason . . . a personal reason, the game hasn’t been fun since training camp. It’s basketball in general. . . . It’s just not fun right now. I want to get the love [back].”

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The Clippers have 29 assists in two games. The Trail Blazers had 32 assists alone in their win over the Clippers. . . . Shooting guard Eric Piatkowski, who did not dress against the Trail Blazers because of injured ribs, is questionable for tonight’s game and is still listed as day-to-day.

TONIGHT

vs. Philadelphia 7:30

Fox Sports West 2

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 0-2, 76ers 0-2.

* Record vs. Philadelphia (1999)--Did not play.

* Update--The Clippers are smarting from the defeat against the Trail Blazers and are starting a three-game homestand. Philadelphia leads the all-time series, 52-39, but the Clippers have a five-game home winning streak against the 76ers.

* Tickets--(213) 745-0400 or (213) 480-3232.