Saying Aggression Is the Answer, Olowokandi Pursues Progress

After watching Michael Olowokandi put together a dominating 24-point, 17-rebound effort in a victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, the Clippers are hoping their second-year center can continue his strong play on the current four-game trip.

Starting with tonight’s game at Cleveland, Olowokandi will play against four teams that do not have a dominating big man in the middle. After facing undersized veteran Mark Bryant, who has been starting at center for the Cavaliers, Olowokandi will face Boston’s Vitaly Potapenko, New Jersey’s Michael Cage and Utah’s Olden Polynice.

Four players who will never be confused with the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal.

“We live in a negative society and God forbid should we say something positive or give people chances to develop,” Coach Chris Ford said about Olowokandi’s recent problems before his breakout game against the Pacers.

Olowokandi, who said the pain in his left knee has decreased over the past week, plans to retain a more aggressive attitude instead of worrying about staying out of foul trouble.

“I just have to keep being mentally focused,” he said. “I can’t just sit back and not do anything. Trying to be patient and let everyone else do their thing . . . because when we don’t win, it’s ‘Michael didn’t do anything or Michael wasn’t a factor’ . . . I have to keep being involved as much as I can.”

Today

vs. Cleveland, 4:30 PST

Channel 9

* Site--Gund Arena.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 10-22, Cavaliers 14-19.

* Record vs. Cavaliers (1998-99)--Did not play.

* Update--This game will mark the first return to Cleveland for Clipper shooting guard Derek Anderson, who was traded by the Cavaliers for Lamond Murray last summer. Anderson, drafted 13th overall by Cleveland in 1997, has struggled since returning from a severe ankle injury, making only eight of 26 shots in his last three games.