Coach Retreats on Crucial Shot

Clipper Coach Mike Dunleavy, who after Sunday’s 106-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers questioned why Zeljko Rebraca had passed up an open shot in the closing seconds, backtracked Monday after seeing a replay.

Still, he lamented that the play had broken down.

“I went back and looked at the film [and] actually where Z caught the ball, it wasn’t in the right range for him to get a shot off,” Dunleavy said, confirming what Rebraca had told reporters after the game. “The way it was set up was to get him kind of an elbow catch. We probably started the play a little sooner, a little bit higher ... which contributed to the fact that he didn’t get the ball exactly where we would have had an opportunity for an easy shot.

“Part of it’s him not going there, part of it’s the timing of the play. But it’s a lesson to grow from.”

On a pick and roll, Rebraca got the ball about 20 feet from the basket. He gave it up to Rick Brunson, who missed a last-second shot from the right wing.

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Corey Maggette participated in full-contact drills for the first time since suffering a sprain near his left collarbone in a Jan. 28 loss at Portland.

“Just trying to see how it feels,” the Clipper scoring leader said afterward, an ice bag being wrapped to his upper torso by assistant trainer Johan Wang. “It was all right. I still need to get that stiffness and soreness out. I’m going to keep seeing what I can do, and when I feel I’m ready, I’m going to go.”

He hopes to play before the trip ends Feb. 16 at Miami.

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The Clippers were not optimistic about Elton Brand’s name being included when All-Star game reserves are announced today. Dunleavy said last week that if the Clippers’ record was at .500 or better, Brand would have to merit consideration, but they’re 23-25 after losing their last two games.... Maggette and Shaun Livingston are expected to return before the All-Star break next week but Kerry Kittles remains unable to practice because of a strained right groin. Kittles, sidelined since Jan. 17, also has been bothered by sciatica.... The Clippers are 7-3 when Maggette has sat out, all three losses by three points or fewer, all on the road.