Gentry’s Goal Faces an Uphill Struggle

Alvin Gentry’s 48-game must-win season begins tonight.

The Clippers have lost six consecutive games and eight of nine, prompting General Manager Elgin Baylor’s team meeting and pronouncement Monday that this is not the time to make a coaching change.

“We had a good, spirited, hard-nosed practice,” Gentry said after Tuesday’s workout. “But the bottom line is, we’ve got to perform when the lights come on.”

The Clippers have wandered through a fog of late, looking particularly uninspired during Sunday’s loss to San Antonio that stretched their losing streak to six games, the team’s longest since a nine-game drought from Jan. 12 to Jan. 31 in 2001.

Gentry plans no significant changes in the rotation or game plan for tonight’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center.

“Before we start trying to change everything, we’ve got to execute and play smart and rebound,” he said. “Then if it doesn’t happen ...

“We haven’t played the way we can yet. I’m not opposed to changing anything. As a coach, I have the ultimate flexibility. But we have to execute what’s asked of us. If that doesn’t work out, then we can change.”

Well, there is one change Gentry hopes to see in his team.

“We talked about pushing the ball more,” he said, referring to the team’s need to get more fastbreak baskets. “We’ve had trouble against zone defenses. If we rebound the ball and push it out on the break, they can’t get set in their zone.”

Gentry also said he wouldn’t hesitate seeking help from reserves if the Clippers stumble at the start against the Grizzlies.

The Clippers trailed, 12-2, in the early moments of their 94-86 loss against the Spurs on Sunday.

“Obviously, we can’t wait long if we’re not going good early,” he said. “We can’t afford to get down, 15-6 or 20-6.”

*

TONIGHT

vs. Memphis, 7:30

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KLAC (570), KTNQ (1020, Spanish).

Records -- Clippers 12-22, Grizzlies 11-22.

Record vs. Grizzlies -- 0-1.

Update -- Lamar Odom is averaging 17.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists in five games since returning after an 11-month layoff because of ankle and wrist injuries. The Clippers will be without guards Eric Piatkowski, Marko Jaric and Quentin Richardson for the second consecutive game. Piatkowski and Jaric are expected to sit out one more week because of abdominal and ankle injuries. Richardson also has a sprained ankle, but his status is less certain. He was injured in the Clippers’ loss to the Grizzlies at Memphis on Friday.