Brand Gets a Triple but Is Left Stranded

Elton Brand said his first NBA triple-double was no big deal.

“It’s nothing,” he said after collecting 17 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in 42 minutes Sunday against the Indiana Pacers. “I’m numb to that right now. I needed a win to go with it. I would rather have had two points and win the game.”

Brand is the second Clipper to record a triple-double this season. Andre Miller had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a Jan. 10 victory over the SuperSonics at Seattle.

Asked if he could remember when he last posted a triple-double, Brand said he believed it might have been while he was at Duke, but he couldn’t remember the occasion or the opponent.

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Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry heaped praise upon Indiana Coach Isiah Thomas and the Eastern Conference-leading Pacers.

“Isiah has done a great job of defining roles,” Gentry said. “These guys are very accepting of their roles. When you walk on the floor, you have to compete as a team. Isiah has taught that better than anyone. If I were going to vote for a coach of the year, it would be Isiah Thomas. It wouldn’t be close. He’s deserving of the honor of coaching the Eastern Conference All-Stars; I can’t believe they aren’t talking about him for coach of the year.”

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TONIGHT

at Cleveland, 4 PST

Site -- Gund Arena.

Radio -- XTRA (1150).

Records -- Clippers 16-27, Cavaliers 8-36.

Record vs. Cavaliers -- 0-1.

Update -- Andre Miller’s return to Cleveland has been overshadowed there by the firing of John Lucas as the Cavaliers’ coach, the appointment of former Indiana University player Keith Smart and Akron prep sensation LeBron James’ reported disappointment with the move. The Cavaliers, losers of six consecutive games and owners of the worst record in the league, are almost certain to have the best lottery odds at selecting James first overall in the NBA draft. The Clippers get their second look at former teammate Darius Miles, who went to Cleveland last summer in the deal that brought Miller to Los Angeles. Miles has been starting at guard recently and is averaging 8.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and three assists in 29.3 minutes a game.