Consistency Becomes Next Challenge

Now that they have shown the ability to defeat quality teams like the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves, the Clippers’ biggest challenge is to defeat teams closer to their level, like tonight’s opponent at Staples Center, the Vancouver Grizzlies.

The Clippers are 3-2 this season against Vancouver, Houston, Golden State and Denver, teams they are fighting to stay head of or pass in the Western Conference. Tonight will be the Clippers’ third game against the Grizzlies with each team having won on the other’s court.

Point guard Jeff McInnis said the young Clippers are starting to understand that they have to keep up their mental approach. They realize now, he said, that they lost at home to sub-.500 teams New Jersey, Washington and the Grizzlies because of not playing with focus.

“You can tell every day that we’re ready now,” McInnis said. “We’re starting to understand that we can win if we play right. But we also know that you can’t win any games if you come out and don’t play. We’ve been able to go and play [good teams]. Now we have to show that [we can beat average to below-average teams].”

In their two previous games against the Grizzlies, the Clippers slowed down forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim (combined nine-of-27 shooting). But Coach Alvin Gentry plans to play Darius Miles against Abdur-Rahim tonight, even though the rookie did not match up against him much in the first two games.

“We have to give him an opportunity to play against him,” Gentry said about Miles on Abdur-Rahim.

“This is an important game. If you look at the standings, they are right where we are . . . It’s a home game we need to win. They are a very capable team. They have had some great wins. They went to Dallas and won by 30. But for us, we’re still trying to establish that consistency . . . where every night out we have a good feeling on what we are going to get.”

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Through contributions from the Clipper players, Toys ‘R’ Us and The Clippers Foundation, more than $2,500 in toys and a 15-passenger van have been provided for children at the Echo Park Boys & Girls Club. The van was purchased with proceeds from the Clippers’ first Golf Classic held in October.

The Clippers Foundation also has donated $2,500 to the Union Rescue Mission and $10,000 to St. John’s University to start a scholarship fund in memory of former Clipper Malik Sealy, who was killed last spring in an automobile accident in suburban Minneapolis.

TONIGHT

Vancouver, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 9-18, Grizzlies 8-18.

* Record vs. Grizzlies--1-1.

* Update--The Clippers will be seeking their second two-game winning streak this season after Wednesday’s victory over Minnesota. Veteran swingman Eric Piatkowski leads the Clippers with a 42.3% three-point shooting average. The Grizzlies are 3-7 on the road but defeated the Clippers at Staples Center on Nov. 2, 99-91.

* Tickets--(800) 462-2849.