Fowlkes, Not Miles, Likely to Start

Coach Alvin Gentry started Darius Miles in Corey Maggette’s place at small forward Saturday against the Indiana Pacers. Miles scored four points, making only one of six shots and two of six free throws in 36 minutes.

So, Gentry will probably turn to Tremaine Fowlkes tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies, the fourth game on the Clippers’ five-game trip. Miles, only 20, simply is more comfortable playing in a reserve role.

Fowlkes, a rookie from Fresno State who was signed Saturday to a 10-day contract, gave the Clippers seven points and six rebounds in 17 minutes in his NBA debut against the Pacers.

“Looking back at the times I’ve started him, he hasn’t played that well,” Gentry said of Miles, who often enters games with guard Quentin Richardson late in the first quarter.

“He likes the combination of players he plays with. There’s a good chance I’ll start Tremaine and bring Darius in off the bench.”

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Maggette, sidelined because of a dislocated fourth and fifth metacarpals on his right hand, did not attend the team’s practice Sunday at Rhodes College.

He suffered a concussion in Wednesday’s victory over the Miami Heat and was troubled by a headache Sunday.

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Gentry attempted to lighten the team’s mood by ending practice with a series of shooting games. After Saturday’s loss, the ninth-place Clippers fell three games behind eighth-place Seattle.

“I can’t give anyone messages at this point,” Gentry told reporters. “Obviously, everybody understands the importance of these games. The Knute Rockne speeches are over. We understand the position we’re in.”

TONIGHT

at Memphis, 5 PST

Site--Pyramid.

Radio--KXTA (1150).

Records--Clippers 27-30, Grizzlies 15-39.

Record vs. Grizzlies--1-1.

Update--Memphis has lost five of six, including a 78-72 defeat Thursday against the Phoenix Suns. The Grizzlies scored only six points in the fourth quarter after leading most of the way.