Gentry to Make Odom His Point Man Tonight

The Clippers are expected to go with a starting lineup featuring Lamar Odom at point guard tonight, when they play their home exhibition opener against the Vancouver Grizzlies at Staples Center.

Odom started the Clippers’ first two exhibition games at small forward but played some at the point.

Coach Alvin Gentry said he not only wants to see how Odom runs the team, but he’s leaning toward starting rookies Darius Miles and Quentin Richardson at small forward and shooting guard.

“Somewhere along the line we want to look at that combination of players,” Gentry said. “We would use Corey [Maggette] and Tyrone [Nesby] filling in those positions also.”

Jeff McInnis has been the starter at point guard. Gentry said that although McInnis struggled with his shot against the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers, he’s not losing confidence in him.

“I haven’t been disappointed in the way Jeff has played,” Gentry said. “I am not expecting him to be a big scorer on our team.”

With rookie point guard Keyon Dooling not expecting to return from a strained ligament in his big right toe for at least five days, Odom will be used more at that position. Free agents Earl Boykins and Ryan Lorthridge also should get limited playing time.

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Boykins had 14 points and four assists in 27 minutes against the Trail Blazers and has been a hit because of the matchup problems he presents as a 5-foot-5 point guard.

Boykins is in a battle for the final roster spot along with Lorthridge and big men Etdrick Bohannon and Zendon Hamilton. But Boykins’ fate might be determined by the health of shooting guard Eric Piatkowski, sidelined since having minor knee surgery on Sept. 27, and Dooling.

“Ultimately, if he makes the team, Earl knows he will not be a guy who will play 30 minutes a game,” Gentry said. “But what Earl has is the ability to change a game, like he did [against Portland on Thursday].”

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With six exhibition games left before they play their regular-season opener at Utah on Oct. 31, the Clippers have plenty of issues to address.

Their biggest challenge will be to play as a team.

“We still have a lot of things to learn, but you have to love the enthusiasm and energy,” said veteran center Sean Rooks, who is having a strong preseason. “The key is going to be the trying times. . . . We’re seeing now what our potential can be, but [we’ll see about] the times when we get on a bad streak and how we bounce back.”

For the most part, the Clippers’ offense has not been bad. They have been able to move the ball and get open shots. The defense and rebounding, however, need work.

“It’s like everything else, we have to learn to do everything consistently,” Rooks said. “The effort is there. . . . We’re just working things out right now.”

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Piatkowski, who had cartilage surgery in his left knee, is still a couple of weeks away from working out without any restrictions. Piatkowski said his goal is to be 100% for the season opener. . . . There has been no update on backup center Keith Closs, who was suspended Oct. 5 for lack of conditioning and reportedly has requested the union to file a grievance against the Clippers.