Team Is Finally Getting Healthy

With 20 games left in a season that probably has already slipped away, the Clippers are starting to get healthy. Guard Marko Jaric, out since Feb. 11 because of a foot injury, is expected to return today against the Chicago Bulls.

The timetable is less certain for the return of rookie Shaun Livingston (shoulder) and veteran Kerry Kittles (back), who have missed much of the season and might not play again.

The cumulative effect of losing three guards for weeks at a time has been devastating for a team trying to climb back to the .500 mark.

“The concentration of the injuries has hurt us,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “You can weather it and plug in if it’s just a point guard, a wing and a big [man] out. No problem. We can handle that.”

Said forward Elton Brand: “It has a big impact on a team when guards are out because they set up the plays, they run the offense and they head-start your defense.”

The Clippers’ ability to stay close in so many games without key players -- they have lost a league-high 12 games by three points or fewer, including Friday’s 113-112 defeat at Sacramento -- is a tribute to their resiliency, Dunleavy said.

“If we had the projected guys to be in those positions, we’re better,” Dunleavy said. “We’d have a stronger bench, we’re better as starters, we’re better all the way around.”

Barring further injuries, the Clippers remain confident they can close the season on a stronger note than they did last year, when they lost 18 of their last 20 games.

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While Brand attributed his season-low 21 minutes Friday against Sacramento to foul trouble, Dunleavy said it reflected his preference to go with a lineup that featured Bobby Simmons at power forward and Zeljko Rebraca at center.

“There was only room for one big [man] and I thought Rebraca was probably the dominant of our bigs last night,” Dunleavy said. “It was just that game.”

Brand finished with 10 points and two rebounds, his lowest rebound total since Feb. 24, 2004, when he had one against Dallas.

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TODAY

vs. Chicago, 12:30 p.m.

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Clippers 27-35; Bulls 32-27.

Record vs. Bulls -- 1-0.

Update -- The Clippers erased a 24-point deficit during a 97-96 victory at Chicago on Nov. 24, the biggest comeback in franchise history. The Bulls have been playing much better lately and bring a three-game winning streak into the rematch.