Brand’s Elbow Is Sore Spot

Clipper power forward Elton Brand will ring the opening bell this morning at the New York Stock Exchange. He, several teammates and members of the coaching staff will also visit ground zero in lower Manhattan, site of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

But at some point today, Brand will probably have his sore right elbow X-rayed. He was injured Dec. 29.

Although he has not sat out because of the injury, his shot has suffered.

Brand had only nine points (on four-of-14 shooting) in Monday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. After spending much of Tuesday receiving treatment on his elbow, he had 17 points (making eight of 10 shots and one of two free throws) in a loss to the Washington Wizards.

“The shot felt good,” Brand said. “I’m trying to stay away from an X-ray. I know I’m going to have to sit out if they find something wrong.”

Asked about an apparent reluctance to shoot Tuesday, Brand said, “It [the elbow pain] is still in my head somewhat.”

*

Lamar Odom felt sick after eating something that didn’t agree with him on the team’s charter flight to Washington late Monday. He tried to play against the Wizards, but went only 15 minutes and had four points, four assists and three rebounds.

“If you took Michael Jordan off his team, it would be the same if you took Lamar off our team,” Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry said.

*

X-rays were negative on center Michael Olowokandi’s sore right forearm. He was injured when he struck his arm on the rim while blocking a shot Saturday against Milwaukee. He did not score in 25 minutes Tuesday.

*

The rosters will be announced today for the rookies versus second-season players game during the NBA’s all-star weekend next month.

Guard Quentin Richardson is expected to be on the second-season players’ roster, but forward Darius Miles isn’t.