They Know What Problems Are

Turnovers and missed free throws are killing the Clippers.

They committed 51 turnovers and made only 34 of 54 free throws in a three-point loss to Seattle and a one-point defeat by New Jersey.

It’s enough to drive a coach crazy. Just ask Alvin Gentry.

“If you look back at what we’ve been able to do defensively over our last six or seven games, we’ve been very good,” said Gentry, whose Clippers rank among the top 12 teams in the league in points allowed.

“But when you’re turning the ball over 30 and 21 times it’s going to be hard to win. Take our [one-point loss to the Nets on Monday], if we just have 15 turnovers, we have six more possessions and if we just shoot 30%, we get two more baskets, which may have been enough to win the game.”

Clanking free throws has been an issue for the Clippers all season, but their turnover problem is a new concern.

“We’re a team that struggles to score anyway, so when you have opportunities, you have to take advantage of them,” Gentry said. “It hasn’t been our effort [that has led to a 4-8 record]. It hasn’t been our defense. It hasn’t been our rebounding. What it’s been has been our turnovers and free throws. . . . Guys think we lose games at the end but you don’t. It builds up to that point. If we take care of the basketball and make our free throws, it may not come down to the last possession of the game.”

*

One reason for the Clippers’ improved defense has been the team’s reluctance to double-team in favor of stronger individual efforts.

“When we play great individual defense and then worry about team defense, there is always bound to be good things to happen for us,” forward Derek Strong said. “That always limits easy buckets and second shots. Once that happens, you have a good chance of winning games.”

Michael Olowokandi agrees.

“We better understand what we’re trying to do,” the Clipper center said. “We understand our rotations a little bit better and even when we’re not sure, we have better dialogue between the players and the coaches.”

*

Point guard Jeff McInnis might be back in the lineup Friday against the SuperSonics at Seattle. McInnis, sidelined because of a knee bruise, did not play against the Nets and sat out most of the second half against Seattle.

Rookie Keyon Dooling started in place of McInnis against the SuperSonics and did some good things (five assists and only one turnover) and some bad things (one-for-seven shooting).

“It’s amazing what you see by sitting on the bench,” said McInnis, who plans to practice today. “I already told Keyon that there were certain plays he could have been more patient with. Patience is not only the key for him but for our whole team. We have to take care of the ball better.”