Six-Game Trip Yields One Victory

The Clippers should have known this was going to be a rough six-game trip after they blew a nine-point lead in the final 1:22 of regulation and lost in overtime to the Toronto Raptors at Toronto.

Though they were able to win at Washington after trailing by 21 points in the second half, the Clippers ended the trip 1-5 after Saturday’s 85-73 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. It wasn’t the finish Coach Alvin Gentry was looking for.

“It shouldn’t matter if it’s the first game or the last game [of a trip],” Gentry said. “You should be ready to play. Everyone has to play 41 road games and that’s how you make it in the NBA. Being ready to play every night. We have no excuses.”

Against Minnesota, the Clippers followed a familiar script. They started slow, made a late run but lost because of poor shooting and too many unforced mistakes.

In their six games away from Staples Center, they made 37.8% of their shots and had 16 turnovers at Minnesota; made 47.1% and had 23 turnovers at Charlotte; made 39.5% and had 16 turnovers at Washington; made 45.2% and had 23 turnovers at New York; made 37.5% and had 21 turnovers at Boston; and made 42.9% and had 21 turnovers at Toronto.

“The Toronto game kind of knocked us for a loop,” Gentry said. “We played well defensively, but we have to find a way to manufacture offense.”

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Center Michael Olowokandi, who has struggled offensively the last few games, had 15 rebounds against the Timberwolves. Olowokandi, who scored eight of his 10 points in the first half, said he is slowly adjusting to a new role.

“I’m trying to do my part and that is to rebound and play defense,” said Olowokandi, who had only one foul in 29 minutes. “I have to take little bits and pieces offensively. I have to fit in better with our offense and try to recognize what teams are doing against us better.”