McInnis Enjoys a Starting Role

The Clippers will have to decide soon whether to give point guard Jeff McInnis a second 10-day contract, but based on his play in the Clippers’ loss to Cleveland on Saturday, he might be around for a while.

Because of health problems for Troy Hudson (stomach virus) and Eric Murdock (sprained left ankle), McInnis got a start against the Cavaliers and played well. He finished with nine points, three assists and three rebounds in 31 minutes.

“I thought he gave us some good minutes and played good defense out there,” interim Coach Jim Todd said.

“He made the most of his minutes.”

For McInnis, it felt good to be with an NBA team after playing most of the season in the Continental Basketball Assn.

“I was able to show a little bit of what I could do,” McInnis said. “They wanted me to start. I was surprised but I was ready.”

Four years ago, McInnis made himself available for the NBA draft after his junior season at North Carolina.

But after being drafted in the second round by Denver, McInnis was waived by the team two months into the season. McInnis ended up in the CBA and overseas for three seasons before getting a shot last season with the Washington Wizards.

McInnis isn’t taking anything for granted these days.

“I didn’t want to be too vocal today,” McInnis said about his first start. “I just tried to play as unselfish as possible.”

*

Hudson is scheduled to have his stomach examined Tuesday. Backup center Keith Closs was limited to seven minutes against Cleveland because of back spasms.