Much Better Effort at This Practice

After sweeping a two-game home stand, the Clippers play three games in Texas, starting with a matchup against the Houston Rockets on Thursday.

The Clippers had a productive practice at L.A. Southwest College on Tuesday, in contrast to Sunday’s workout that ended when Coach Alvin Gentry kicked his team off the court for lack of effort.

“Everyone was really focused in and we had a good hard and aggressive practice,” Gentry said. “I think everything was upbeat and we did a good job of executing and competing. If we’re going to be good, we have to do that.”

Center Sean Rooks worked with the first team because starter Michael Olowokandi was out because of personal reasons. Rookie guard Quentin Richardson also did not practice because of a sore lower back.

“Considering that we just played last night [the Clippers defeated Denver by 13 points Monday], we had a real good workout,” Gentry said. “It’s the way we should have practiced [Sunday]. But that’s forgotten.”

*

With 19 games remaining and the Clippers out of the playoff race, Gentry wants to get younger players more playing time and still win games.

That’s not an easy task considering how well veterans such as Eric Piatkowski and Jeff McInnis have played this season.

“We will try and give them as much as time as possible but not at the risk at sacrificing victories,” Gentry said. “But obviously, if the game is out of hand, those will be the guys who will play.

“We want to go .500 the rest of the year. We’re [9-8] since Feb. 1 and, if we can play .500 the rest of the way, it would be an unbelievable accomplishment for us.”