Odom, Anderson Make Move Into Lineup Pay Off

Coach Chris Ford inserted Lamar Odom and Derek Anderson into the starting lineup and received great results as the Clippers gained their first exhibition victory with a 112-102 win over the Toronto Raptors Friday at Air Canada Centre.

Odom had a game-high 25 points and added eight rebounds and two assists, and Anderson had 20 points and five assists for the Clippers, who evened their exhibition record at 1-1.

Odom replaced Tyrone Nesby at small forward. He also played power forward and both guard positions.

“We had him a lot of different positions,” Ford said. “He made a lot of things happen. . . . His versatility paid big dividends.”

Anderson replaced Eric Piatkowski at shooting guard and helped the Clippers match up against the athletic Raptors, led by Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.

With center Michael Olowokandi in foul trouble for much of the first half, Toronto took a 57-47 lead at halftime behind 21 points from Carter. In the second half, Anderson and Nesby, who finished with 14 points, sparked a 29-14 rally as the Clippers headed into the fourth quarter tied, 81-81.

Over the final 12 minutes, the Clippers dominated play, with Olowokandi scoring seven of his 11 points.

“Our chemistry is getting there but it is not quite there yet,” Olowokandi said. “Once we start getting the guys from last season more into things we’ll be much stronger. But we’re still learning the game together and that’s on us.”

Odom made eight of 17 shots from the field and nine of 13 from the free-throw line. Anderson also had three steals and three rebounds.

Said Ford: “Our guys did a real good job defensively. Especially in the second half we did a whole lot better helping out and communicating.”

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One negative for the Clippers is that Maurice Taylor, who had 16 points and six rebounds, did not play in the fourth quarter because of a minor knee injury.

“The doctors didn’t see anything, but we’ll have to wait and see until [today],” Ford said of Taylor’s injury.

Taylor will be examined by doctors today and is questionable for tonight’s game at Chicago.

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Carter, who did not play in the third quarter, had 24 points and McGrady finished with 22.

Millionaire rapper Percy Miller, known as Master P and who represents Anderson, played the last two minutes for Toronto, committing two fouls and missing a 21-foot jumper.