Learning From Loss Is the Goal

Another night, another test against the NBA’s elite.

The Clippers said they learned a lot in Sunday’s 109-101 loss to the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center, and the San Antonio Spurs could provide more for them to consider tonight at the SBC Center.

The defending NBA champion Spurs went 4-0 against the Clippers in the 2004-05 season, and the Clippers are eager to show they’ve closed the gap. The loss to the Pistons could help them tonight, the Clippers said.

“You can learn a lot from a game like that,” forward Elton Brand said. “It shows you the poise you need to have, that you can’t make mistakes, because good teams take advantage of that.

“They’ve got a lot of pieces, they really share the ball and they play defense, just like the Spurs. San Antonio is another upper-echelon team and we’ve got to play well. We can’t make the same mistakes.”

The Clippers have adjusted well after poor performances.

“This team comes back from adversity,” said point guard Sam Cassell, who fouled out against the Pistons. “We go in, we watch film and we correct our mistakes.

“We don’t get down and worry about the last game, because we don’t have time to do that. We’re going to do what we have to do and look forward to San Antonio.”

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Forward Corey Maggette, sidelined because of a sprained left foot, did not accompany the team on the trip and continued to receive therapy in Los Angeles.

Maggette’s 21.7 scoring average is second on the team.

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Coach Mike Dunleavy has not received enough credit for the team’s performance, Cassell said.

“People are quick to try to give me the credit, but I don’t want the credit,” the 12-year veteran said. “It starts from up top, and I think Mike Dunleavy has done a magnificent job of allowing us to grow as players, so it starts there. He could be a guy who says, ‘Sam, slow it down, I don’t want you to throw the ball from here to that end of the court,’ but he doesn’t do that.

“That’s why I say it starts with him. He allows us to make mistakes. As a coach, he should get mad when we make mistakes, but he doesn’t dwell on stuff, and I really appreciate that. He always looks to the next play, and I like the way he lets us make adjustments during games.

“That’s what you want from your coach. You want trust.”

TONIGHT

at San Antonio, 5:30 PST, FSN West 2

Site -- SBC Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Clippers 14-6, Spurs 16-4.

Record vs. Spurs (2004-05) -- 0-4.

Update -- The Spurs are in familiar territory atop the Southwest Division, but are coming off a 94-84 road loss Saturday to the Atlanta Hawks. Point guard Tony Parker is averaging a career-high 20.3 points and shooting 53.5% from the field.