Odom Experiences Good, Bad in Exhibition Loss

Rookie Lamar Odom’s NBA debut was nothing to write home about for three quarters, but he made several key plays to help the Clippers send their exhibition season opener to overtime before losing, 102-98, to the Golden State Warriors Tuesday night in front of 6,848 at San Jose Arena.

Odom, who finished with 17 points, made seven of 20 shots from the floor and he and Tyrone Nesby, who also shook off a rough start, led a late rally by combining for 16 points in the fourth quarter. In overtime, however, Golden State wore down the Clippers behind John Starks’ game-high 25 points.

Power forward Maurice Taylor had a solid game for the Clippers, finishing with 17 points on eight-of-11 shooting. Taylor, however, did not play in the fourth quarter or overtime. Second-year center Michael Olowokandi, who also did not play after the third quarter, had only one rebound and made four of seven shots for nine points.

Coach Chris Ford started Troy Hudson and Eric Piatkowski in the backcourt with Nesby, Taylor and Olowokandi in the frontcourt. Hudson and Piatkowski combined for six points on 0-for-six shooting from the field.

Ford did get a good effort from backup big men Brian Skinner, who had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Keith Closs, who finished with five points and four rebounds.

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Unfortunately for point guard Eric Murdock, injuries have been a major part of life the last two years. Murdock did not play in the Clippers’ exhibition opener against Golden State Tuesday night because of a left ankle sprain suffered in a scrimmage Sunday night at L.A. Southwest College.

Murdock, acquired in a trade from the New Jersey Nets for Johnny Newman, is listed as day to day and has been on crutches.

He is expected to be sidelined for about a week.

With six NBA teams in eight seasons, Murdock gained a reputation for being a tough, durable player. But last season with the Nets, he missed 35 of the 50-game lockout-shortened season because of a sore left knee and a strained groin.

Until Sunday, Murdock was having a solid training camp. He knew right away that the injury was going to slow him down for a while.

“I actually did it on my own,” Murdock said. “I came down wrong. . . . It seemed like my ankle touched the floor.”

Murdock hopes to return for the Clippers’ exhibition game against Phoenix next Tuesday but it’s more likely he will make his debut against Vancouver on Oct. 21.

“I thought I was going to be out a lot longer than [a week] when I twisted it,” said Murdock, competing with Hudson for the starting point guard position. “I’ve had injuries like this a lot. I should be fine.”