Gentry Still Thinks Big

The Clippers reached the 25-game mark in 2001-02 with a 14-11 record, increasing expectations that were never quite reached. They hit the 25-game mark this season with an 11-14 record, amid speculation that the best had come and gone for the franchise.

Or at least for this particular group of players and coaches.

Coach Alvin Gentry doesn’t see it that way. He believes this team still can accomplish something special.

“Considering the injury situation we have had, we’ve played pretty good,” he said before the Clippers faced the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 26 on Wednesday at Staples Center. “The disappointing thing is the number of games at home we had an opportunity to win, but we let slip away. We’ve got to continue to play well. We’re starting to execute better. The whole key for us is we just have to get the necessary shots down the stretch to win.

“You can see most games are determined in the last four or five minutes. You’ve got to be able to execute. It’s pretty simple. It really is.”

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The Clippers were without shooting guard Eric Piatkowski, who sat out his fourth game because of a lower abdominal strain. Marko Jaric started in his place against the Trail Blazers.

-- Elliott Teaford