Several Good Points to Clipper Win

Shaun Livingston returned to the Clipper lineup last week and Marko Jaric was back Monday night, the two of them on the court together for the first time since before Thanksgiving. Which means that Rick Brunson soon will resume the role the Clippers had in mind for him all along: third-string point guard.

Brunson, of course, has been much more than that this season, filling in as a starter for most of the last three months while Livingston and Jaric were sidelined and, through his leadership and steady playmaking, helping to keep the Clippers on the fringes of the playoff race despite a rash of injuries.

But with Brunson’s days as a regular seemingly numbered, Coach Mike Dunleavy tipped his hat to the veteran journeyman before Monday night’s 96-89 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in front of 16,498 at Staples Center.

“To steal from a commercial, he’s been priceless,” Dunleavy said. “A lot of nights he’s been at a disadvantage, size-wise and athletically, and he’s found a way to be mentally tough and physically tough to help us win. He’s come through in a lot of ways for us, made really good plays. His assist-to-turnover ratio [3.5 to 1] has been terrific, he’s been able to make big shots. He’s done a lot.

“When I brought him in, I knew what I was getting: a smart player, hardworking player ... who was going to be great for the role. But he’s obviously been better because he’s had to do a lot more than any of us ever thought.”

Brunson played only 13 minutes Monday in his 38th start, contributing three assists as the Clippers ended a two-game losing streak.

Elton Brand and Corey Maggette each scored 22 points for the Clippers, who never trailed after ending the first quarter with a 15-4 run. Bobby Simmons scored 15 points, and Chris Kaman had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Livingston had six points, three assists and three turnovers in 22 minutes. Jaric had seven points, six assists and one turnover in 24 minutes.

“Both guys are going to take some time to get their timing ... and it’s going to take time for guys to get used to them,” Dunleavy said. “But I thought there were a number of really good plays in the game by those guys ... and hopefully it will help us expand our game as we go forward.”

For the Trail Blazers, who have lost their last five games and fell to 1-9 under interim Coach Kevin Pritchard, Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 23 points and 14 rebounds. Former Clipper Darius Miles scored 20 points.

The Trail Blazers have lost 14 of their last 15 road games.

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Livingston, activated Saturday after sitting out 13 games because of torn cartilage in his right shoulder, still might need surgery but hopes to avoid it.

Of his truncated season, the rookie said, “I’ll take what I can get. Just because there’s only a few games left in the season doesn’t mean I’m going to bow out and say, ‘Forget it.’ I’m going to use whatever I can get.”

Dunleavy said he would play Livingston as much as possible over the last month of the season, again raving about his potential.

“He has all the great qualities,” Dunleavy said. “He shows great leadership, decision making, vision. ... I think he’s got a lot of respect from our guys even though he’s just a year out of high school. He’s got that kind of command about him.”

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Jaric, back in the lineup after sitting out three games because of a right hip pointer, said he was still sore but wanted to play. “I was very limited,” he said, “but it’s always good when you’re back and you see your team winning. That’s for me most important thing right now.”