Maggette Unlikely to Play Today

Forget the X’s and Os. For the Clippers, it’s all about implosions and explosions.

They’ll need a victory today against the surging Houston Rockets to avoid losing their fourth consecutive game.

And more than likely, they’ll again be without guard Corey Maggette, whose sprained left foot is healing more slowly than hoped.

“I can put pressure on it and I can run a little bit, but there’s no explosion and that’s my game -- explosion and going to the basket,” said Maggette, who has missed the last five games.

Coach Mike Dunleavy said that “unless there’s a miracle” Maggette will not play today, but he will travel on the subsequent three-game trip to New Jersey, Indiana and Charlotte.

Maggette, who did not practice Friday, is the team’s second-leading scorer with a 21.7-point average.

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Cuttino Mobley, who played 38 minutes despite having flu symptoms in Wednesday night’s 102-89 loss to the New Orleans Hornets, also missed practice but is listed as probable for today’s game.

Said Dunleavy of his suddenly embattled team: “We’ve got to weather the storm. It’s a little tougher to weather the storm against the defending champion and runner-up, but we’ve got to do that until we get our guys back.”

The Clippers’ other two losses during the skid were to the NBA-champion San Antonio Spurs and runner-up Detroit Pistons.

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Asked what he thought of Elton Brand’s being listed seventh among forwards in All-Star voting, Dunleavy said, “Other than to say that there have got to be some stupid people out there?”

The top vote-getters are Tracy McGrady, followed by Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and Brand.

“If you’re totally objective, based on the West and how guys are playing and not their reputation, there are probably two guys that should be locks: Elton Brand and [center] Marcus Camby,” Dunleavy said of the fan balloting.

No Kobe Bryant?

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TODAY

vs. Houston, 12:30 p.m., Ch. 5

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Clippers 14-8, Rockets 9-12.

Record vs. Rockets -- (2004-05) 0-3.

Update --The return of Tracy McGrady has been a plus for the Rockets, who have won six of seven since his return from a back injury. He was the leading scorer in five of those victories and had 34 points in Thursday night’s triumph over Seattle, boosting his scoring average to a team-leading 24.8 points.

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849.