Problem With Game on Line

One great thing about free throws: There’s nobody standing in the shooter’s way.

So why did the Clippers miss so many free throws in their 84-78 loss Sunday against the Seattle SuperSonics?

The Clippers couldn’t say for certain after making 14 of 24 for 58.3%, two days after making 19 of 33 (57.6%) against Portland.

They did say their poor free-throw shooting cost them a game. The Clippers are making 72.4% of their free throws, down from 73.9% last season.

“What really killed us were the free throws,” Corey Maggette said after missing the only one he attempted Sunday. “It was a big difference in the game.”

Added Elton Brand, who made five of seven from the line: “We’ve got to get back in the gym and shoot some free throws.”

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Quentin Richardson is eligible to come off the injured list after tonight’s game against the Golden State Warriors, but Coach Alvin Gentry couldn’t say Sunday if Richardson’s bruised right knee is sound enough for him to play Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings.

“We’ll just have to wait and see,” Gentry said.

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TONIGHT

at Golden State, 7:30

Site -- The Arena, Oakland.

Radio -- KXTA (1150).

Records -- Clippers 3-7, Warriors 3-8.

Record vs. Warriors (2001-02) -- 2-2.

Update -- The Warriors were in L.A. to play the Lakers, losing in overtime Friday, then thumped Orlando on Saturday at Oakland. The Clippers were at Portland on Friday, losing big, then home Sunday against Seattle and on the road again to face the Warriors tonight at Oakland. The Warriors played seven of their first 10 games on the road, which helps to explain their slow start. The Clippers are playing the final game in a stretch of four in five days. They are 2-3 away from Staples Center. Last season, they didn’t win their first road game until Dec. 18, en route to a 14-27 mark away from Staples Center.

-- Elliott Teaford