Maggette Is Sidelined

Corey Maggette suffered a strained left knee in the Clippers’ victory Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks and is not expected to play tonight against the San Antonio Spurs.

Darius Miles is expected to take Maggette’s place as the starting small forward. Maggette has been filling in for Lamar Odom, on the injured list because of a sprained right wrist.

Maggette underwent an MRI exam Wednesday, the results of which will be known today. Odom was examined Wednesday and the Clippers will announce an update on his expected return today.

Meanwhile, Miles, only 20, continues to play well. He had 13 points, took eight rebounds, added five assists and played sound defense on Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki in 30 minutes Tuesday. Perhaps what stood out most of all, though, was Miles’ thunderous second-quarter dunk off a lob pass from Quentin Richardson.

TONIGHT

at San Antonio, 5:30

Site--Alamodome.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Record--Clippers 23-23, Spurs 29-14.

Record vs. Spurs--0-1.

Update--Tonight’s game matches two of the league’s best scorers and rebounders in Elton Brand of the Clippers, who has 31 double-doubles, and Tim Duncan of San Antonio (a league-leading 35). The Spurs haven’t been playing like an elite team recently at home. A 78-73 loss Tuesday to the Charlotte Hornets was the Spurs’ third consecutive at the Alamodome. They have lost six of their last 10 overall and are expected to be without David Robinson tonight. Robinson suffered a bruised thigh Saturday against the Golden State Warriors and did not play against the Hornets. Cherokee Parks, a former Clipper, took Robinson’s spot in the starting lineup Tuesday. The Clippers have lost 15 in a row to the Spurs, last winning Dec. 4, 1997 at the Sports Arena.

Elliott Teaford