Murdock May Play; Taylor Gets Closer

Point guard Eric Murdock’s nagging right knee injury continues to be a problem but he expects to play tonight at Seattle, and power forward Maurice Taylor’s left foot sprain is close to full recovery.

It’s only a matter of time before both players are back in the lineup together, giving Coach Chris Ford a complete roster for the first time since training camp. And when that happens, Ford said, surprises may be in order.

“Things aren’t necessarily going to go the way people might think they should go,” Ford said. “Somebody might think they might come back and they should be playing 48 minutes. You’ve got to earn them. If you’re playing well, you are going to get to stay out there. If you’re hustling, you’re going to stay out there. But there are a lot of other guys who have proven we can have some means of success with the energy they bring.”

Led by Brian Skinner, who has emerged as a legitimate force inside and leads the team with a 9.3 rebounding average, the Clippers are getting solid efforts from role players Troy Hudson, Tyrone Nesby, Eric Piatkowski and Anthony Avent. The Clippers have six players averaging 10 or more points and nine scoring at least eight a game.

“Everyone will have to give me as much as you can out there, then we’ll go to the next guy,” Ford said. “If you’re not giving it to me [in a game] I can’t wait seven or eight minutes to allow you to all of a sudden get into the game. We don’t have that luxury. When you’re on the court give me your best.”

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One reason for the SuperSonics’ 9-3 start has been the play of former Laker Ruben Patterson, a starter at small forward. Patterson, who barely played as a rookie last season, is averaging 14.8 points and 7.1 rebounds in 28.8 minutes.

BOX SCORE

at Seattle,

7, Channel 9

* Site--Key Arena.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records: Clippers 4-7; SuperSonics 9-3.

* Record vs. SuperSonics: 0-1.

* Update: Seattle has had the Clippers’ number for years, winning nine in a row, including a 104-92 victory to open the season Nov. 2 at Staples Center. The last time the Clippers won at Seattle was Jan. 25, 1994. Lamar Odom and Derek Anderson are tied for the team lead in scoring at 19.8 points per game. Skinner is shooting a team-high 53.5% from the field. Gary Payton leads Seattle in scoring (21.4 points), steals (2.33) and assists (10).