Gentry Says Odom Will Face Garnett

Lamar Odom practiced Tuesday after sitting out Monday’s workout because of a bruised lower back suffered from a fall Sunday in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

Coach Alvin Gentry said Odom would start tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves and guard All-Star forward Kevin Garnett. But if Odom struggles because of his sore back, Gentry appears to have an ace in the hole.

Reserve forward Tremaine Fowlkes guarded Garnett in the Clippers’ 104-88 victory over Minnesota on Dec. 7 and limited him to 19 points. Garnett, who shot only 13 times, had five points in the second half on two-for-five shooting.

“Tre did do a good job on him and I thought we played good team defense,” Gentry said. “We kept him from having one of his huge games.”

Gentry said he was unsure how much Fowlkes would play tonight. Odom was sidelined because of injury the last time the teams met.

*

Guards Quentin Richardson and Marko Jaric are expected to play tonight after being sidelined because of sprained left ankles.

“Those two guys give us some additional outside shooting and ballhandling,” Gentry said. “Both of them looked pretty good [in practice]. They looked like they’re ready to go, but as for how many minutes, I’m not real sure.”

Richardson, who has been plagued by injuries this season, said he was ready to go “full throttle.”

“I’m ready to get the injuries all behind me,” he said. “I know I’ll never be 100% this year because of all the knick-knack things, but I’m ready to start to contribute again.”

*

TONIGHT

vs. Minnesota, 7:30

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- XTRA (1150), KTNQ (1020, Spanish).

Records -- Clippers 14-23, Timberwolves 20-17.

Record vs. Timberwolves -- 1-0.

Update -- Elton Brand had 26 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots to lead the Clippers past the Timberwolves on Dec. 7 at Staples Center. Minnesota is coming off an 89-75 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday. Former Laker guard Anthony Peeler led the Timberwolves with 20 points off the bench.