Avoiding Sweep Is the Challenge

The Clippers will have their work cut out tonight against the streaking Seattle SuperSonics, who are making a late push for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.

Featuring a more aggressive defense which calls for traps all over the court, Seattle has responded well to new Coach Nate McMillan, who took over on an interim basis for Paul Westpal at midseason and has led the SuperSonics to victories in eight of their last nine games.

“They are playing as well as they have the whole year,” Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry said about the SuperSonics following the Clippers’ practice at L.A. Southwest College on Thursday. “They are in such a desperate situation because they can’t afford any slip ups. . . . Nate McMillan has done an unbelievable job there. When he took over, there was a little bit of a turmoil and he has righted the ship. And he’s been rewarded for it [with a four-year contract he signed earlier this week].”

The Clippers don’t really need any extra motivation against Seattle, which has won the previous three games between the teams this season. The SuperSonics are the only team in the Pacific Division the Clippers have not defeated this season.

“We may not be going to the playoffs but we’re trying to win as many games as possible,” center Michael Olowokandi said.

Olowokandi is looking forward to his final showdown of the season against Seattle’s Patrick Ewing, although the aging veteran center is no longer the focal point of his team.

“They don’t run their offense through him as much . . . but he is still a king to me,” Olowokandi said. “He can definitely still produce. His numbers might not show it but it’s not because of a lack of talent.”

TONIGHT

vs. Seattle

7, Channel 9

* Site--Key Arena.

* Radio--KOGO (600).

* Records--Clippers 26-46, SuperSonics 40-34.

* Record vs. SuperSonics--0-3.

* Update--If there has been a team that has owned the Clippers over the last seven years, it’s been Seattle. The SuperSonics have won 28 of the last 30 meetings between the teams and are looking to go 8-0 against the Lakers and Clippers this season. Point guard Gary Payton leads Seattle in scoring (22.8 points) and assists (8.1).