At Least They Can Talk a Good Game

For a team that has won only twice since Dec. 26, the Clippers are at least doing a good job of speaking positively. Even with the team’s latest injury--shooting guard Derek Anderson’s sprained right ankle--the Clippers still think they can steal a road win tonight against the Hornets and end their eight-game losing streak.

“It’s never easy,” interim Coach Jim Todd said. “All I am trying to do is stay the course . . . trying to teach as much as I can. I don’t think [the players] are too down. They are after games but they have remained upbeat in practice.”

Added rookie Lamar Odom: “It’s safe to say, being in a playoff race is not going to happen. This has now become a work in progress. We have to work to get better. That’s all you can do now.”

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Anderson did not practice Thursday and is out for tonight’s game. Forward Maurice Taylor (right hand sprain) and point guard Eric Murdock (left ankle soreness) also skipped practice but are expected to be in the lineup against the Hornets.

TONIGHT

at Charlotte, 4:30

* Site--Charlotte Coliseum.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 11-40, Hornets 28-21.

* Record vs. Hornets (1999)--Did not play.

* Update--The Clippers have not played Charlotte in nearly two years but have lost three in a row to the Hornets. Power forward Derrick Coleman has averaged 20.7 points on 50.9%-shooting and 9.1 rebounds over his last 15 games for Charlotte, which lost at home to the Lakers Wednesday.