Gentry Offers Some Ideas on Road Woes

Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry hopes his team will take some hard-earned lessons from their 1-5 trip.

“We didn’t play well in Philly, and we didn’t play well in New Jersey,” Gentry said after Thursday’s shortened practice. “We played well enough in Washington that, if we had come up with some plays we’d have had a chance to win. And Charlotte was a total disaster. We played well in Toronto. And at Minnesota, they are playing at such a high level I’m not sure anyone could go in there and beat them.

“I want us to understand that if we go out and play with confidence, we’re a good enough team to win on the road. That’s what we have to continue to work on as a young team. The big thing is, even with the road trip we had, we didn’t bury ourselves to where we’re out of the playoffs, or so far back we can’t recover.”

Gentry also said the Tuesday morning scuffle between Elton Brand, Obinna Ekezie and Corey Maggette in Minneapolis would cost all three some money but no other disciplinary action was required.

“Obviously we don’t condone violence at all,” Gentry said. “Those guys will get fined, but that’s something that’s handled internally. If you talk to the parties involved they’re more embarrassed than anything. But as far as I’m concerned, it’s a dead issue.”

TONIGHT

vs. Cleveland, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KXTA (1150).

Records--Clippers 19-20, Cavaliers 13-26.

Record vs. Cavaliers (2000-01)--2-0

Update--Cleveland, which lost its eighth in a row, 117-88, to Golden State on Wednesday, can commiserate with the Clippers about life on the road. The Cavaliers are 4-17 away from home. Clipper forward Lamar Odom’s sprained right wrist makes him questionable tonight. “He’s probably going to go, but he’s in that situation where it just bothers him,” Gentry said. “As long as I think he’s effective, he’ll be out there. We’ve got to have him on the floor.”

Tickets--(800) 462-2849.

Mike Terry