Lack of Defense Is Indefensible

Only Golden State has given up more points a game than the Clippers this season. The Clippers have allowed an average of 103.1 points to opponents, and that won’t win too many games in the NBA.

“We just don’t understand [team defense],” said shooting guard Derek Anderson of the Clippers’ problems. “We have enough talent, but we don’t play smart. We make other people look better than they are.

“Logically, when someone gets hot, you double-[team] him and make someone else beat you. That’s what teams do to us. That’s why we don’t have guys scoring 40 or 50 points in a game. Sometimes, it looks like we double just to be doubling.”

Interim Coach Jim Todd wonders about the mental approach of his players.

“Until we’re ready to step in there and pick up a foul and not be afraid to get into foul trouble, we’re going to struggle on the defensive end,” Todd said. “That’s what team defense has to be. . . . Sometimes we do it, sometimes we don’t. Mostly, we don’t.

“It’s late in the season and we have a bunch of injuries. Maybe that has something to do with it, but still you have to want to want to do it. I have tried to be positive, but that is our problem, not [wanting] to play defense.”

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The Clippers did not practice Saturday and are off today. They will work out Monday before playing Utah at Staples Center on Tuesday.