Kittles Is Fighting Back Into Shape

Kerry Kittles sat out 17 games in November and December because of a knee injury and another nine in December and January because of a back injury, so naturally when he was activated again last week he came down with a cold.

“If it’s not one thing, it’s another,” he said.

Kittles, though, fought through the sniffles and the congestion and the lack of practice time with his new team to piece together strong relief efforts in the Clippers’ two-game split with the Seattle SuperSonics, averaging 10 points on 50% shooting, four rebounds, two assists and 25 minutes a game.

“He just knows how to play,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “It’s very evident on the court. He makes a lot of good plays, a lot of things that don’t show up in the box score. As he gets more conditioned and used to playing and banging bodies, his ability to shoot and move I think will improve for us also.”

Said Kittles, who scored eight points in 28 minutes in Friday night’s 114-112 double-overtime victory over to the Miami Heat: “It’s going to take a little time for me to get a little more chemistry with these guys.

“Like I said earlier in the year, it just takes time to find my niche with this team and what I can do, where the opportunities are offensively and how I’m going to be covering guys defensively so we can all be on the same page and not have too many mistakes when I’m out there.”

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Darrick Martin is expected to sign a second 10-day contract today, taking him through a Jan. 24 game against the Dallas Mavericks. After that, the Clippers must sign him through the end of the season or release him.... Marko Jaric, sidelined since Dec. 19, was cleared to participate in shooting and cardiovascular drills after X-rays revealed healing in his right foot stress fracture. He’ll be examined again next week, at which time a timetable for his return is expected to be set.

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TONIGHT

at Sacramento, 7

Channel 5

Site -- Arco Arena.

Radio -- XTRA (690/1150).

Records -- Clippers 18-17, Kings 23-11.

Record vs. Kings (2003-04) -- 0-4.

Update -- The Clippers, who have played fewer road games than any other team in the Western Conference, have lost five of their last six outside Staples Center. Cuttino Mobley, traded from the Orlando Magic, is expected to make his debut for the Kings, who have won five in a row and 10 of 11 over the Clippers.