House Is Making an Impression

Eddie House may be the smallest Clipper, but his recent play has given the team a big lift with starting shooting guard Quentin Richardson sidelined because of a sprained right wrist.

“He’s a high energy player who’s 100% ready to go every time he touches the court,” Clipper General Manager Elgin Baylor said of House, acquired during the off-season after spending two seasons with Miami. “He’s a player who can play both shooting guard and the point

In the Clippers’ overtime victory over Portland Tuesday, House made a three-point basket at the end of regulation that sent the game into the extra period.

In overtime, House had three points, three steals, two rebounds and an assist. He finished with a game-high five steals.

“He does all the intangible things that often go unnoticed,” Baylor said. “He came up with some big steals late in the game [against Portland] ... He’s a tough kid.”

House is averaging 6.6 points and his tenacity has become his trademark, whether delivering a hard foul on Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson or chasing down Portland’s Ruben Patterson to prevent an open layup.

Although House is shooting only 34.6%, he has found his touch in the last two games, making nine of 18 field goals, including four of seven from behind the three-point arc.

“He struggled some with his shot early, but he’s starting to get comfortable out there,” Clipper Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “But I never really worried about [House] because it’s a long season. He is a little small, but he’s aggressive and we use him against a [Damon] Stoudamire and Iverson. We like to use him in a light-sized matchup.”

As power forward Chris Wilcox did when starter Elton Brand was injured early in the season, House is making the most of his increased playing time.

“You don’t ever want to see anyone injured,” Baylor said. “But look at Wilcox. He did such a good job when Elton was out that he’s now in the rotation. The same thing is happening now with Eddie with Quentin hurt. [Swingman] Bobby Simmons is also doing a good job with his extra minutes because of injuries.”

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Richardson is still listed as questionable for Friday’s game against Miami. He will be evaluated at practice today.