After a Lot of Bad, Rice Gets the Good

Before draining the winner Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks, Glen Rice had missed 22 of 27 shots, six of eight in that game.

Six weeks into the season, the Clipper forward already had spent time twice on the injured list, each time because of a balky right knee.

“I worked so hard in the summer, trying to get in the best shape possible, and to not be able to get out there and participate in games and get in game shape, it sets you back a little bit,” Rice said Friday after practice at Staples Center.

“But at the same time, being on a team like we have, the guys are so positive, so supportive, it makes it a lot easier.”

Late Wednesday, hours after being activated after a five-game stint on the injured list, Rice was all but buried in congratulatory hugs from his teammates after his shot from inside the top of the key gave the Clippers a 100-99 victory.

“It felt good,” he said, “considering that I don’t have my legs up under me and knowing that’s a shot I’m capable of hitting. Hopefully, it can carry over.”

The Clippers are counting on it.

Rice, who ranks among the top 50 scorers and perhaps top two or three pure shooters in NBA history, was signed during training camp in hopes that his outside shooting would stretch defenses and create space in the low post.

But problems with his knee derailed his conditioning and dulled his touch.

“It’s all legs,” he said. “In practice, I stroke it a lot better. But practice and games, it’s totally different.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been able to go out there and have so many wide-open looks. So I’m just waiting for the legs to kick in. It’s going to be something.”

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Corey Maggette, who scored 30 points against the Mavericks despite suffering a sprained ankle in the second quarter, is not 100% healed but has no plans to sit out.

“I’ve got to reboot the computer chip,” he said, “but it’s going to be at least 90%. Whatever, I’m going to play.”

TONIGHT

vs. Phoenix, 7:30, Channel 5

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KXTA (690/1150).

Records -- Clippers 7-11, Suns 8-14.

Record vs. Suns (2002-03) -- 1-3.

Update -- The Suns, surprise playoff participants last season, had lost three in a row and six of seven leading to Wednesday’s firing of coach Frank Johnson. They then lost Thursday night to the New Orleans Hornets, 111-101, in their first game with Coach Mike D’Antoni. Stephon Marbury averages 19.9 points and 8.2 assists, Shawn Marion 17.6 points and 8.9 rebounds. Amare Stoudemire, averaging 15.1 points and 8.9 rebounds, is sidelined because of a sprained ankle and not expected to return until early next month.

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849.