A Personal Best Amid Team Loss

With Corey Maggette and Lamar Odom on the injured list for at least the next month, the starting small forward spot has gone to Marko Jaric almost by default. Jaric, a 6-foot-7 rookie from Yugoslavia, responded with his best game in the NBA during the Clippers’ loss Friday against the Sacramento Kings.

He had 19 points on eight-for-15 shooting in 35 minutes, looking more confident in his drives to the basket and on his outside jump shots. Coach Alvin Gentry has been forced to play three guards -- Jaric, Andre Miller and Eric Piatkowski -- in the last three games because of injuries to Maggette (knee) and Odom (ankle).

At least one former teammate believes Jaric will eventually excel at the point guard position for the Clippers.

“He’s going to be good,” said King center Vlade Divac, who played with Jaric on the Yugoslav team that won the gold medal at the World Championships. “He’s a good defender and he’s strong. When he played point guard for our national team, he really understood the position by getting everybody involved, and he saw the floor well.”

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TODAY

vs. Indiana, 12:30 p.m.

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KXTA (1150).

Records -- Clippers 6-11, Pacers 13-2.

Record vs. Pacers (2001-02) -- 1-1.

Update -- Miller sprained his left ankle Friday and his status for today’s game was not immediately certain. Trainer Jasen Powell hoped to learn more after treating Miller’s ankle Saturday and again this morning. Quentin Richardson knocked his left knee against the knee of an unidentified Sacramento player, but is expected to play today. The Pacers have won three consecutive games and nine of 10, but have played 10 of their first 15 games at Indianapolis.

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849.