With Playoffs Coming, Ross Is Given Some Rest

The playoffs are around the corner, so Coach Mike Dunleavy has decided to proceed cautiously with swingman Quinton Ross.

Ross, the team’s best perimeter defender, has been slowed throughout the season because of back problems, and the Clippers face top-tier point guards this week, beginning tonight against Mike Bibby of the Sacramento Kings.

Ross was given time off in Friday’s 106-91 rout of the Utah Jazz at Staples Center.

Ross was the only active Clipper to sit out the game, and Dunleavy said he hoped the extra rest would help.

“Any time you have a player who is on limited minutes, you try to protect him for those games where you feel you’re really going to need him the most,” Dunleavy said. “He gives us a dimension that we don’t have a whole lot of places.”

Ross and backup point guard Shaun Livingston are good one-on-one defenders, but the Clippers aren’t considered to be a strong man-to-man defensive team overall. On Wednesday, the Clippers face point guard Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns and Bibby and the Kings again on Friday.

Ross is expected to be busy.

“With Q right now, it comes down to picking and choosing,” Dunleavy said. “We’re trying to make the right decisions and guesses with the time we have him out there.”

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It took most of the season, but the Clippers are finally almost at full strength at the right time, players said.

“Now, with guys finally healthy, Mike has a chance to do some different things to get this basketball team prepared for what we’re going to face in the playoffs,” point guard Sam Cassell said. “We’ve got guys we’ve got to get ready to help us, so you’re going to see them get some opportunities now. That can only help us.”

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TONIGHT

at Sacramento, 6, Ch. 5

Site -- Arco Arena.

Radio -- 1150, 830.

Records -- Clippers 42-29, Sacramento 37-36.

Record vs. Kings -- 0-2.

Update -- The Clippers have struggled on defense against the Kings, who spread their offense well and follow the lead of point guard Bibby. In the first two games, Bibby scored 38 and 32 points.