Missed Opportunities Remain a Big Problem

This already has become a season of “what could have been” for the Clippers.

They head into tonight’s game at Portland with a 20-40 record, third worst in the Western Conference, but that isn’t a true indicator of how well they’ve played.

Few sub-.500 teams can boast victories over the Portland Trail Blazers (two), Lakers, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves, as the Clippers can. But just think about the games the Clippers let get away.

The Clippers have lost nine games in overtime and six more when they’ve held comfortable fourth-quarter leads.

“It’s getting harder and harder,” said veteran Sean Rooks, who missed a mid-range jump shot at the end of regulation in the Clippers’ overtime loss at Sacramento on Tuesday. “It takes the wind out of our sails, and it is kind of demoralizing to play so well and not get a win. It’s a thing where we’re still learning to get over the hump.”

It’s frustrating for Coach Alvin Gentry, who knows his team should have a much better record.

“I’m just disappointed because we are in the last fifth of the season and we’re not getting any better in closing out games. We have to close out games,” Gentry said. “I’m really proud with how [the Clippers have played]. . . . But we have to learn how to make the necessary plays to win games. We’ve had chances to [win close games] but we didn’t do it. That’s the bottom line.”

TONIGHT

at Portland, 7

Channel 9

* Site--Rose Garden, Portland, Ore.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 20-40, Trail Blazers 40-18.

* Record vs. Trail Blazers--2-0.

* Update--The Clippers have never won a season series against the Trail Blazers, but they could do it with a victory tonight after defeating them twice last month. Portland power forward Rasheed Wallace has a league-leading 32 technical fouls to his credit, but he is averaging 30.2 points over his last six games. Although the Pacific Northwest was jolted by a powerful earthquake Wednesday morning, damage in Oregon was minimal. Officials at the Rose Garden reported no problems.