Kaman Is Beginning to Pick Up the Pace

Rookie Chris Kaman was 0-for-7 shooting in his first NBA start Nov. 18, which is one reason he didn’t make his second until three weeks later.

This stint looks more promising. Restored to the starting lineup, Kaman had 23 points and 19 rebounds in the Clippers’ losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings.

“With rookies, you have to accept the fact there’s going to be ups and downs,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said before Wednesday night’s game.

“But we had a bunch of starts, we didn’t have enough energy and one thing he does provide is energy. He plays extremely hard every night and he’s relentless on the boards and banging and going after shots and blocking, doing whatever he can do.”

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Dunleavy on Elton Brand, who averaged 13 points and shot 36% in his first three games back: “He’s in amazing shape for a guy who’s been sitting out six weeks, or whatever it was. Still, his timing’s not where it was before he got injured. His first game against Seattle, the difference between now and then, there’s some room.”

-- Mark Heisler