Embarrassing Loss a Source of Motivation

Over the years, the Clippers have had many embarrassing defeats but none may have been worse than the team’s no-show effort in a 27-point loss to the Lakers on Dec. 14.

The Clippers set all kinds of negative records with three second-quarter points and 19 in the first half. It was a game the Clippers will never forget and they’re determined to make a better showing tonight when the teams play again at Staples Center.

“I think we can beat any team in the NBA,” said rookie Lamar Odom, who returned to practice Monday after missing Sunday’s workout because he overslept.

“When we go out and compete at the same level, we hang with any team. But if we come out and everybody is not on the same page, that’s when you get embarrassed. That’s what we are going to try and not have happen [against the Lakers].”

For the first time this season, the Clippers closed practice to the press Monday. And for the first time in weeks, Coach Chris Ford had a healthy, injury-free 12-man roster to work with.

It doesn’t matter to the Clippers that they are the home team for tonight’s game. They realize the Lakers probably will have most of the crowd support.

“We are used to that,” said Derek Anderson, who also returned to practice after missing Sunday’s workout because of miscommunication with Ford. “We are used to people yelling every chant they want, it doesn’t matter. The only concern we should have is that we have to perform.”