Boykins Earning His Recognition

At some point in tonight’s game against Indiana, Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry will insert Earl Boykins into the lineup and somewhere in the Conseco Fieldhouse crowd, someone will joke about his 5-foot-5 height.

Boykins, who played in 25 games with Cleveland last season, is having fun showing people his skills, however. With more offensive game than the league’s previous players shorter than 5-8, such as Spud Webb and Muggsy Bogues, Boykins is a defensive nightmare for opposing point guards.

“I just want to change the tempo of the game, both offensively and defensively,” Boykins said.

“I want the game to be up-tempo and to get easy baskets. I know if you get layups, you win.”

*

Although he hasn’t been putting up huge numbers, center Michael Olowokandi has been more active on defense and steadier on offense.

“I’m feeling better . . . I feel a lot lighter on my feet,” Olowokandi said. “That’s a big key and there really is no explanation for it. I’ve been a lot more active and that helps a lot. I am able to help out guys and be around the ball more.”

His play has not gone unnoticed by Gentry.

“He’s been playing well over the last couple of weeks . . . You can’t judge everything that he does by stats,” Gentry said about Olowokandi. “He has been intimidating defensively and he’s come up with big offensive rebounds.”

*

Rookie Keyon Dooling is eligible to be activated from the injured list after missing the last five games because of viral syndrome. . . . Shooting guard Corey Maggette, who suffered a head injury caused by an accidental elbow from Atlanta Hawk center Dikembe Mutombo on Saturday, will miss the next three games because of a mild concussion.

TONIGHT

at Indiana, 4 PST

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Conseco Fieldhouse.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 13-26, Pacers 17-21.

* Record vs. Pacers--0-1.

* Update--The Clippers lost to Indiana, 85-82, at Staples Center last Monday. The Pacers have won 13 of the last 14 games between the teams. The Clippers have lost seven in a row at Indiana.