Small Lineup Covers for Brand in Victory

The Orlando Magic certainly proved Monday that a team could thwart Elton Brand, the Clippers’ leading scorer and rebounder. But the Magic also learned throwing a wet blanket over Brand doesn’t guarantee a victory over the Clippers.

The Clippers overcame the Magic’s double-teaming defense against Brand, who had season lows of six points and two rebounds in 26 minutes, and 47 points from Tracy McGrady to win.

“They just weren’t going to let him beat them,” Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry said, referring to Orlando’s defensive strategy against Brand. “They forced us to go with another [smaller] type of lineup. It would have been hard to stick Elton or Michael [Olowokandi, Clipper center] out on the perimeter.”

In the end, the Clippers’ small lineup was better than the Magic’s small lineup.

“I didn’t play a lot in the second quarter and in the fourth quarter,” said Brand, who leads the Clippers with averages of 20.6 points and 11 rebounds. “The guys were great off the bench. That’s a sign of a growing team.”

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By and large, the Clippers’ ascension above the .500 mark passed without much fanfare Monday. Everyone seemed to know the team’s record was 11-10 and that it had been a while (Nov. 21, 1996, to be precise) since the Clippers were over .500. But it took Brand to put it all in perspective.

“It’s my first time over the .500 mark as a pro, so I feel great,” said Brand, who won 17 games as a rookie and 15 last season with the Chicago Bulls before he was traded last summer to the Clippers.

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Eric Piatkowski’s strained right hip flexor has improved and it’s possible he could play tonight against the Seattle SuperSonics. He has been sidelined for five games.

TONIGHT

vs. Seattle, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KXTA (1150).

Records--Clippers 11-10, SuperSonics 10-14.

Record vs. SuperSonics (2000-01)--0-4.

Update--This is the final game of a six-game home stand for the Clippers, although they play twice more at Staples before actually hitting the road Tuesday against the Suns at Phoenix. The Clippers also play an away game Friday against the Lakers and play host Sunday to the Detroit Pistons. Seattle upset the Lakers on Tuesday at Staples.

Tickets--(800) 462-2849.