For Johnson, the Season Is a Little Too Short

The Clippers are 5-15 since Dennis Johnson replaced Alvin Gentry as their coach March 3, which doesn’t bode well for Johnson’s hopes to remove the “interim” tag in front of his title at season’s end. The Clippers were 19-39 under Gentry and had lost 12 of 15 games when Johnson was given the reins for the rest of the season.

Johnson is perhaps the only one in the organization who wishes there were more than four games remaining in the season. The Clippers are destined for last place in the Pacific Division.

“I wish we had more time,” Johnson said. “I took over a month ago. It’s hard to throw guys in there and just get them to do what you want them to do. Everybody knows what I like to run, what I like to do and how I’m going to react on the court. The players respond to it. Overall, these guys have played very hard. If you play hard, smart and with confidence, you’re always going to be in the game.”

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TONIGHT

at Minnesota, 5 PDT, Channel 5

Site -- Target Center.

Radio -- XTRA (1150).

Records -- Clippers 24-54, Timberwolves 48-31.

Record vs. Timberwolves -- 1-2.

Update -- The Clippers have lost eight consecutive games on the road and figure to be just what the Timberwolves need after a loss Wednesday at Seattle. Minnesota and Portland are jockeying for playoff position with the Lakers. The Clippers are playing their third game in three cities in four nights. They also play Saturday at Denver before ending this five-game trip Monday against Golden State at Oakland.