Time Off Can Only Help

Three days without a game were just what the Clippers needed to heal. Lamar Odom’s sprained right wrist and Corey Maggette’s bruised right knee won’t prevent them from playing tonight against the Sacramento Kings.

Neither have injuries slowed the Clippers during a torrid December that has vaulted them into third place in the Pacific Division after 25 games. The Clippers are 7-2 this month. And with a 7-3 record in their last 10 games (and 9-3 in their last 12), the Clippers are among the league’s hottest teams.

“I was shocked we have one of the best records in December,” Coach Alvin Gentry said Friday. “I had no idea. Believe me. I had no idea until I saw that statistic on TV last night. We look at every game and say, ‘Gee whiz, look at all the tough games we’ve somehow got to win.”’

To be sure, having a more physically sound Odom and Maggette in the starting lineup helps the Clippers. But they are still without shooting guard Eric Piatkowski and backup point guard Keyon Dooling.

Piatkowski’s strained right hip is better, but Gentry doesn’t expect him back until at least Wednesday, when the Clippers host the Philadelphia 76ers. Dooling continues to make slow progress after suffering a sprained left ankle Nov. 14.

“He’s walking pretty normally now,” Gentry said of Dooling. “It’s going to be a long battle back for him as far as conditioning goes. No one is working harder, though, as far his rehab goes.”

Gentry on facing the Kings: “We’re playing perhaps the second-or third-best team in the NBA. It gives us another test. But when we play in this building [Staples Center], I don’t care who we play, we have to expect to win.”

The Clippers have won 13 of 18 at Staples this season, the franchise’s best record since the 1975-76 then-Buffalo Braves had the same mark en route to going 28-13 at the late, great Aud.

TONIGHT

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

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KXTA (1150).

Records--Clippers 14-11, Kings 19-8.

Record vs. Kings (2000-01)--1-3.

Update--The Kings also are hurting. Chris Webber has tendinitis in his left ankle and did not play in Wednesday’s loss at Seattle. Vlade Divac had his right foot X-rayed earlier this week, but no broken bones were found. Divac is suffering from a sprain. Doug Christie has various bumps and bruises. The Clippers and Kings play again Jan. 2 at Sacramento.

Tickets--(800) 462-2849.