Rooks Contributing as Backup and Leader

One pleasant surprise for the Clippers during the exhibition season has been the play of veteran center Sean Rooks.

Acquired in a draft-day trade from Dallas for point guard Eric Murdock, who was later waived by the Mavericks, Rooks has stepped up as a behind-the-scenes leader off the court and has been solid as Michael Olowokandi’s backup.

“He’s been pretty consistent,” Coach Alvin Gentry said of Rooks, who started in place of Olowokandi Tuesday night in the Clippers’ 90-83 victory over Portland before 8,076 at Staples Center. “He’s a real smart player. . . . He doesn’t make many mistakes out there and he’s done a good job trying to help the younger guys.”

With Olowokandi not in uniform because of a right ankle sprain, Rooks played 22 minutes against the Trail Blazers and finished with seven points and five rebounds.

“Having [Rooks] gives us a real good legitimate backup center. He has done a good job in that role and the biggest surprise has been that he’s been able to step outside and knock down a jump shot. Any time you’re a big guy and can shoot with any range at all, that creates all type of problems because you open the floor for other players.”

The Clippers, who also played without injured swingman Lamar Odom (left quadriceps tendinitis), were led by Corey Maggette with 20 points and Darius Miles with 15. Backup point guard Earl Boykins made a strong case for making the team’s final 12-man roster with 11 points, four rebounds and two assists in 20 minutes.

Power forward Rasheed Wallace had 19 points and four rebounds for Portland, which had to play without recently acquired Shawn Kemp (left knee), Arvydas Sabonis (left knee) and Greg Anthony (ankles) because of injuries.

The Clippers are 3-1 in the preseason and Portland dropped to 2-2.

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For the fourth consecutive exhibition game, the Clippers played without rookie point guard Keyon Dooling, who has been sidelined because of a strained tendon in his right big toe.

Dooling, selected 10th overall by Orlando and then traded to the Clippers, said it has been frustrating to watch fellow rookies Miles and Quentin Richardson play.

“I just have to be patient and get healthy so I can hopefully contribute to the team when I get a chance,” said Dooling, who averaged 12.1 points in his two-year career at Missouri.

“Not being out there gaining experience has been the toughest . . . just watching. . . . The games seem so much longer.”

Dooling’s wait may end soon because Gentry said he expects him to play Thursday at Denver.

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Free-agent center Zendon Hamilton saw his first action of the exhibition season and had a team-high 13 rebounds and eight points in 26 minutes. . . . After practice today, Miles will travel to Minnesota to shoot a Sports Illustrated cover with the Timberwolves’ Kevin Garnett. . . . After playing the Nuggets on Thursday, the Clippers will travel to play games against the Indiana Pacers on Friday and Sunday.