Olowokandi’s Run-In Praised

Center Michael Olowokandi’s play was nothing special in the Clippers’ last game, a two-point loss Saturday at Dallas, but he did surprise some people when he got physical with the Mavericks’ Shawn Bradley and was ejected after a run-in midway in the third quarter.

“He got frustrated and Bradley can bring that out in a person,” interim Coach Jim Todd said about Olowokandi’s attempted clothesline. “[Bradley] always seems to be involved in some type of altercation. . . . Just subtle stuff all of the time and Michael just got tired of it.

“To be quite honest, I was glad to see him retaliate a little bit. Now, you don’t want to see him get thrown out but it is good to see him stick up for himself after being banged on so much.”

TONIGHT

vs. Phoenix, 7:30

Channel 9

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 14-62, Suns 49-27.

* Record vs. Suns--0-2.

* Update--Shooting guard Derek Anderson, who did not play against Dallas because of stomach flu, will play and power forward Maurice Taylor, who did not practice Monday because of a sore left ankle, is expected to play. Phoenix has defeated the Clippers nine consecutive times and has not lost to them in Los Angeles since December 1996.

* Tickets--(213) 480-3232.