Playoff Drought Finally Ends

Though they were idle, the Clippers clinched a playoff spot Saturday night when the New Orleans Hornets were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks.

It marks the first time the franchise has qualified for postseason play since 1996-97, when they went into the playoffs 10 games below .500 and were swept by the Utah Jazz.

Tonight the Clippers have a chance to achieve another important milestone: If they beat the Lakers, they will have won the season series against their hometown rival for the first time since going 3-2 against them in 1992-93.

The Clippers made the playoffs that season with a 41-41 record.

Currently, the series is 2-1 in the Clippers’ favor and tonight will be the final matchup between the teams.

“To be honest that’d be great, but it’s not overly special from my standpoint,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said, adding that it would be a big deal for the organization and the fans.

“I’m looking at the bigger picture, to win a playoff round and get to the conference championships because those are the [milestones] I’m kind of used to. We want to get to that ultimate level.”

When Dunleavy coached the Lakers in 1990-91 and 1991-92, they were a combined 7-2 against the Clippers. In 1990-91 the Lakers went to the NBA Finals and lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, who were coached by Phil Jackson, the current Laker coach.

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Corey Maggette, who sat out Friday night’s 96-93 loss to the Sacramento Kings because of lower-back spasms, did not practice Saturday, showed no improvement and is questionable for tonight’s game.

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Dunleavy said his team will reset goals once the playoffs begin. Presumably, that will be getting past their first-round opponent. If they hold the No. 5 spot, that will be either the Dallas Mavericks, against whom they’re 0-2 this season (they play twice more), or the San Antonio Spurs. The Clippers are 1-2 against the Spurs, including an overtime loss in December.