Traffic School for Young Driver

Until he became a Clipper, the most games rookie Lamar Odom played in a season was 32, in his one college season at Rhode Island.

Odom has gone through a couple of bad stretches, but he’s holding up well as the Clippers start the second half of the season tonight at Dallas.

Because of the Clippers’ nine-game losing streak, Odom has been pressing to make things happen, and Coach Chris Ford wants his celebrated rookie to pull up for short jump shots when he’s open instead of taking the ball into traffic near the rim.

“Lamar is fearless, but he’s also young,” Ford said. “He has to realize when to challenge guys. . . . It’s the point where he is a rookie and he’s trying to put us over the top, but he still has to learn that there are times when you don’t go in there and challenge guys.”

After 41 games, Odom ranks first among rookies in minutes (38.0), three-point shooting (.327) and disqualifications (eight). Odom is second in rebounding (8.0) and blocked shots (1.53), and third in field goal-percentage (.424).

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The Clippers are concerned about falling short in games.

Said veteran Eric Murdock, who is expected to get his third consecutive start at point guard tonight: “Same story. . . . We play well for a half or three quarters and then we have a big letdown. It’s just something we have to work on. I don’t know if it’s just halftime or we get tired or fatigued. I don’t know what it is, but all of a sudden we take a bad shot or commit a turnover and they are on a 10-0 run.”

TONIGHT

at Dallas, 5:30 PST

Channel 9

* Site--Reunion Arena.

* Radio--KCTD (1540).

* Records--Clippers 10-31, Mavericks 15-26.

* Record vs. Mavericks (1999 season)--0-3.

* Update--Dallas has won two games in a row and five of seven. Former Laker Cedric Ceballos has averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds over the last nine games.