Tough Stretch Begins

The Clippers were 3-1 during last week’s stretch of four games in five nights. They get a chance to do it again this week, starting tonight at Philadelphia.

Then it’s off to Washington to face Michael Jordan on Tuesday. They’re at New Jersey on Thursday and at Charlotte on Friday. The trip ends with games Sunday at Toronto and Jan. 15 at Minnesota.

All of which made the Clippers’ victories Friday against Denver and Saturday against Milwaukee so important.

“It was big,” Lamar Odom said, referring specifically to the Clippers’ 86-83 victory over the Bucks. “We needed that win and we got it. Now it’s time to focus and get ready for the 10-day road trip.”

The Clippers have been homebodies so far. They haven’t been away from Staples Center for more than two games in a row since the season began. Plus, they are 2-8 on the road.

A couple of days ago, Elton Brand called this trip a “put-up-or-shut-up trip.”

TONIGHT

at Philadelphia, 4 PST, Fox Sports Net 2

Site--First Union Center.

Radio--KXTA (1150).

Records--Clippers 18-15, 76ers 14-19.

Record vs. 76ers--0-1.

Update--The 76ers finished a seven-game trip to the West with a loss Saturday to the Portland Trail Blazers. They were 3-4 on the trip, which included a victory Dec. 26 against the Clippers. The Trail Blazers held Allen Iverson to 18 points, 10 below his league-leading average. It also was the first time in 13 games that Iverson failed to lead Philadelphia in scoring.