Gentry Pleased With Split on Tough Trip

The Clippers got home early Sunday feeling pretty good about themselves after completing a four-game trip to New Orleans, Dallas, San Antonio and Houston with a break-even record. All things considered, it could have been worse.

After all, the Hornets have lost once at home -- to the Clippers -- after winning 11 in a row in their new hometown. The Mavericks are 11-0 at home, having knocked off the Clippers to keep alive their home winning streak. The Spurs are 8-3 in their new home, the SBC Center, which includes a win over the Clippers. The Rockets are 8-2 on their home court, their seven-game winning streak ended by the Clippers.

“There aren’t going to be many teams who play those four teams and end up 2-2,” Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry said. “When you look at the home records of those four teams, to come away 2-2 has got to be a real satisfying trip.”

The Clippers are one of only six teams this season to play Dallas, San Antonio and Houston -- the Texas Triangle -- on the same trip.

“A few years back, all three Texas teams were not playing well at the same time,” forward Elton Brand said. “The Texas Triangle is tough. And they’re three different teams: a post-up team [San Antonio], a guard-oriented team [Houston] and a run-up-and-down team [Dallas], so it’s hard to get prepared for each team.”

*

TONIGHT

vs. San Antonio, 7:30

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KXTA (1150), KTNQ (1020, Spanish).

Records -- Clippers 10-14, Spurs 14-9.

Record vs. Spurs -- 0-1.

Update -- The Clippers play 11 of their next 15 games at home. Eric Piatkowski probably won’t play tonight because of an abdominal strain.