Here’s a Test They Must Pass

In the Western Conference, it’s easy to pick out the top teams: the Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers. Breaking down the conference’s weaker teams, however, is a different story.

The Clippers are one of those teams trying to move up, and tonight they will get a chance to see how they match up against a team they want to overtake this season, the Denver Nuggets.

“This will be a test against a team that is kind of in the same area we are and we have to play them on their home court,” Coach Alvin Gentry said of the Nuggets, who like the Clippers are 2-4.

Denver, which has won four in a row over the Clippers at Denver, finished 20 games in front of the Clippers last season. But the Nuggets have struggled early this season, making only 43.2% of their shots.

Because Denver center Raef LaFrentz has already attempted 12 three-point shots this season, Michael Olowokandi said the Clippers’ big men will have a different type of challenge.

“Everyone they play can shoot the ball from the outside, so we will have to put more pressure on the ball defensively,” Olowokandi said. “We’re just going to have to play defense like we did [in the Clippers’ victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday].”

TONIGHT

at Denver, 6 PST

* Site--Pepsi Center, Denver.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 2-4, Nuggets 2-4.

* Record vs. Nuggets (1999-2000)--1-3.

* Update--Denver forward Antonio McDyess is listed as day-to-day because of back spasms. McDyess has two double-doubles in points and rebounds in five games. Point guard Nick Van Exel is averaging a team-high 19 points and 7.7 assists for the Nuggets, who are 2-2 at home. The Clippers are expected to start Brian Skinner and Lamar Odom at forward, Jeff McInnis and Tyrone Nesby at guard and Olowokandi at center, the same five players who opened against Atlanta.