Clippers Rise Above Crowd

The Clippers established a franchise record with their 10th sellout Friday night and in the process entertained a Staples Center crowd of 18,964 with another stellar performance.

Eric Piatkowski scored 26 points and Michael Olowkandi added 10 points and a season-high 19 rebounds to lead the Clippers to a 111-105 victory over the playoff-bound Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Clippers, who improved to 29-50 and 21-19 at home, slashed, dashed and dunked over the Timberwolves. After trailing by two at halftime, the Clippers outscored Minnesota, 29-18, in the third quarter and then held off a late Kevin Garnett-led rally to split the season series with the Timberwolves, 2-2.

“We’ve worked hard all season and to finish over .500 at home is big because we have great fans,” said point guard Jeff McInnis, who had 14 points and six assists. “The key is everybody is unselfish and we just come out and play. This is our playoffs and we’re having fun.”

Corey Maggette (15 points) and Darius Miles (nine points and 10 rebounds) had strong games off the bench for the Clippers, who are 12-3 at home since Feb. 1. Garnett led the Timberwolves with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

This has been a season of growth for the Clippers, but thanks to the recent decision by the league’s Board of Governors to implement new rules for next season, the Clippers’ exciting brand of basketball may be a thing of the past.

By eliminating illegal defense guidelines and allowing zones, Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry believes the Board of Governors has made an error.

“I don’t like the new rules because to me it’s going to make everybody basically play a 2-3 zone next year,” said Gentry, who spent much of his early years coaching at the college level.

“I don’t see how it will open up the game for players who make spectacular plays going to the basket. I think you are going to see a lot of those eliminated.”

The Clippers’ athleticism could be neutralized with the introduction of zone defenses. Miles, for example, has made a name for himself with highlight dunks. Maggette, Keyon Dooling and Quentin Richardson each have shown their ability on offense and defense. Throw in Lamar Odom and McInnis’ creativeness with the ball, and it’s easy to understand why the Clippers are not excited about having to make adjustments to their style of play.

“They should just let the game evolve itself,” Gentry said. “The league is made up of nothing but young guys. I just don’t understand why they think we have to have changes. . . . Tell me how playing a zone speeds the game up? They are going to be upset at me in the NBA office for saying this, but I think we should have a right to voice what our opinions are.

“Everyone better work like heck on their outside shooting this summer. Guys such as Mike Miller, Matt Bullard and others like them will become valuable players in the NBA now. You will also start to see more European players taken who can just stand out there and shoot.”