Zone Defense Gets Attention

The Clippers spent most of Tuesday’s practice preparing for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ matchup zone. Minnesota is one of the few teams to take full advantage of the league’s new defensive rules.

Unlike the passive zones that many college and high school teams play, the Timberwolves play an aggressive style, with three players on the perimeter and two closer to the basket.

Eric Piatkowski, the Clippers’ shooting guard, planned to spend part of Tuesday afternoon and evening watching videotape of Minnesota’s recent games. He hoped to spot a weakness and exploit it when the teams play tonight at Staples Center.

“If you look around the NBA, there aren’t a lot of great outside shooters,” he said. “The zone has worked out great for Minnesota. Nobody believed they’d be 10-2 [going into Tuesday’s game at Seattle]. You can attribute their record to their zone.”

The Clippers hope to combat Minnesota’s zone better than they did earlier this season against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Clippers built a big lead in the first quarter against Memphis, but when the Grizzlies went to a zone, they struggled to score for long stretches.

“We didn’t handle it well,” Piatkowski recalled of the Clippers’ victory Nov. 7.

So the Clippers spent part of Tuesday’s practice working against a zone defense.

“We should be all right,” Piatkowski said. “The coaching staff said they are really aggressive in their zone. They’re not going to let us catch the ball outside and look around with time to dissect their zone. If there’s no pressure on the ball, then guys will sit outside and kill you.”

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Coach Alvin Gentry plans to alter his rotation tonight, and it involves more than giving small forward Lamar Odom his first start since regaining his eligibility after serving an eight-game drug suspension.

“We’re going to stop giving guys so many consecutive minutes,” Gentry said. “I think guys lose their effectiveness. It makes more sense to give Elton Brand a rest with three or four minutes to go in the first quarter [for instance]. And you’re not going to see Lamar play as many minutes as he did last year.”

Gentry also said he might play Odom some at point guard. Earl Boykins has been Jeff McInnis’ backup since Keyon Dooling suffered a sprained ankle Nov. 14 against the Chicago Bulls.

TONIGHT

vs. Minnesota, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Records--Clippers 6-8, Timberwolves 10-3.

Record vs. Timberwolves (2000-01)--2-2.

Update--Minnesota, second behind the Lakers in the Western Conference standings, began a three-game trip Tuesday with a loss at Seattle. In addition to tonight’s game, the Timberwolves also play Saturday against the Lakers at Staples.

Tickets--(800) 462-2849.