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Olowokandi Stars in Scrimmage

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After playing four exhibition games on the road, the Clippers had an open public intrasquad scrimmage at the Sports Arena on Wednesday night that did not feature much defense.

An estimated crowd of 1,000 watched the Clippers go through a 90-minute workout with Michael Olowokandi leading the White team to a 100-76 victory over the Blue team.

With Maurice Taylor not in uniform because of a bruised left shoulder and Brian Skinner sidelined because of a cold, Olowokandi dominated play with 29 points. The White team also received 20 points from Charles Smith and 13 from Eric Piatkowski.

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“The most important thing is for us to get as much time playing competitively, five-on-five getting up and down the floor with referees,” Piatkowski said. “We need to try and adjust to the new rules still . . . This whole month is really just to get back into the swing of things. You play during the summertime, you shoot around and maybe some pick-up games but not like this.”

The Blue team was led by Tyrone Nesby, who had a game-high 33 points. Nesby and Derek Anderson, who added 13, shared honors with the White team’s Lamar Odom for the scrimmage’s most spectacular plays.

“You try and do something for the kids . . . it’s for the public,” Nesby said. “We don’t want to go out and hurt ourselves. We don’t want to do anything to put anyone out.”

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The Clippers had many weaknesses last season but rebounding may have been their worst. Only the Cleveland Cavaliers grabbed less rebounds over the 50-game lockout-shortened season.

So far during the exhibition season, the Clippers’ big men have done a solid job on the boards. Olowokandi and Skinner have both had big games rebounding and Taylor has pulled down 5.5 per game in limited minutes.

The Clippers’ problem is that their swingmen have to become better rebounders. Odom, Nesby, Anderson and Piatkowski have to become more consistent, according to Coach Chris Ford.

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“We need to have our 1’s, 2’s and 3’s get rebounds,” Ford said.

“We’ve got to outrebound teams or at least hold our own. . . . Rebounding is one of our key areas where we have to improve.”

Nesby agreed.

“We can’t rely on our big men to get all the rebounds,” he said. “What we have to do this year is block out a lot and start rebounding ourselves . . . we have been losing games because we haven’t rebound. I understand, I just hope everyone else does.”

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The Clippers will practice in Los Angeles this morning before traveling to Vancouver to play the Grizzlies on Friday. The Clippers will play their final road exhibition game Sunday against the Seattle SuperSonics in Spokane, Wash.

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