They’re Not Into the Match Game

Based on how the Clippers matched up against Denver, San Antonio or Dallas during the regular season, the general rule of thought would have them hoping for a first-round playoff series against the Nuggets.

But that’s not necessarily true for the Clippers, who have lost three in a row heading into tonight’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Although they’re 3-1 against Denver and only 1-2 against the Spurs and 0-3 against the Mavericks, the Clippers said they are not trying to manipulate the Western Conference standings.

“I think we match up well against a variety of teams,” co-captain Elton Brand said. “With no Yao [Ming] and Shaq [O’Neal] playing in the East, I think we match up well against every team in the West.

“The thing about us is that we can adapt to teams. We have quick players who can defend quick guards and we have big players who can defend bigs. So it really doesn’t matter whether it’s Denver, Dallas or [San Antonio].”

Coach Mike Dunleavy, whose team has lost four of its last six games, said: “I know there are people out there who think that [we want the Nuggets] but they are a really tough team ... To me, it’s really about letting the chips fall.”

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In the Clippers’ 75-73 loss to the Mavericks at Staples Center on Monday, Dunleavy often assigned center Chris Kaman to defend high-scoring forward Dirk Nowitzki. Kaman was guarding Nowitzki when he made his game-winning basket with 0.7 of a second remaining.

“Dirk is 7 feet tall and plays so mobile,” Dunleavy said. “He just gives people problems. When you put a small guy on him, he’ll post you up and if you put a big guy on him, he’s usually too quick for them. For us, Kaman has the [right combination] with good size and he can be quick.

“We tried Kaman on [Nowitzki] the last time as well and he did a pretty good job. He’s pretty comfortable out there. The only people who give him problems are major size guys like Yao Ming.”

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Reserve forward James Singleton took advantage of an opportunity presented to him with Vladimir Radmanovic sidelined because of a groin injury and Corey Maggette out because of a back problem Monday. Singleton scored eight points and played strong defense against Nowitzki in the second half.

“I’m always there, ready when they need me,” said Singleton, who played more than 10 minutes in a game for the first time since mid-February.

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Sam Cassell (flu-like symptoms) and Radmanovic are both questionable for tonight’s game, and Maggette is out after getting an epidural injection Tuesday morning.

Dunleavy said the Clippers have to find a way to win their final five regular-season games despite being short-handed.

“We have to try and create as much home-court advantage as we can, depending on who we’ll play in the playoffs,” Dunleavy said.

TONIGHT

vs. Portland, FSN Prime Ticket, 7:30

Site -- Staples Center

Radio -- 1150, 830.

Records -- Clippers 44-33, Trail Blazers 21-56.

Record vs. Trail Blazers -- 2-0.

Update -- With Memphis’ victory over Minnesota on Tuesday, the Clippers fell to sixth place in the Western Conference. The Clippers will try to sweep the Trail Blazers for the first time in franchise history. Portland has the NBA’s worst record and has lost 14 of its last 15 games.