‘Q’ Is a Bench Mark

Shooting guard Eric Piatkowski will be sidelined for a third game because of a strained right hip flexor. He attempted to practice Thursday, but had to quit after only a few minutes.

Corey Maggette will replace Piatkowski in the starting lineup tonight, when the Clippers play host to the Utah Jazz.

“Corey is a little under the weather too,” Coach Alvin Gentry said. “But that’s life. Actually, everybody here is under the weather.”

Gentry will keep Quentin Richardson on the bench to start tonight’s game, sticking to his season-long method of operation.

Richardson, who has led the Clippers in scoring in two of the last three games, is the main reason the team has the league’s best bench. He is averaging 14.8 points, second on the team behind Elton Brand’s average of 21.1. The Clippers are averaging almost 38 points from their reserves, a league high.

“One thing that’s surprised me this season is how well ‘Q’ can shoot the three,” Gentry said when asked about Richardson’s 17-for-25 shooting (68%) from behind the three-point arc in the last five games.

Asked if he believed Richardson was merely on a hot streak and would soon cool off, Gentry said, “I hope not. I think he just feels confident shooting the three.”

*

Lamar Odom was excused from practice to attend to personal matters Thursday morning. It was nothing that would prevent Odom from playing tonight, a team spokesman said.

TONIGHT

vs. Utah, 7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KXTA (1150).

Records--Clippers 9-9, Jazz 7-11.

Record vs. Jazz--0-1.

Update--Utah is off to a poor start, prompting speculation that power forward Karl Malone will soon be traded. Early rumors had him destined for Dallas. The Jazz is 2-5 on the road and would seem ripe for another loss tonight. However, Utah has defeated the Clippers in 11 consecutive games, including Nov. 23 at Salt Lake City.