Home-Court Advantage Is on Players’ To-Do List

And the next “magic number” is two.

That’s what it would take for the Clippers, who play the Seattle SuperSonics tonight at KeyArena, to secure home-court advantage against the Denver Nuggets in an opening-round Western Conference playoff series.

If the postseason began today, the Clippers would be seeded sixth and facing the Nuggets, who won the Northwest Division and have clinched the No. 3 seeding. The Clippers won the season series, 3-1.

“Coach has been talking to us about finishing like we need to, going out there and getting home-court advantage,” co-captain Elton Brand said. “You don’t want to take anything for granted right now, and it’s always better if you don’t leave it up to someone else.

“It’s just always better to keep winning.”

The Clippers haven’t done that much lately.

They ended a three-game losing streak in Wednesday’s 97-93 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center, but being pushed to the end against the team with the NBA’s worst record is nothing to celebrate.

“It’s all about taking steps for this basketball team,” said co-captain Sam Cassell, who has appeared in 103 playoff games. “We took a big step by winning the games we have, we took another step getting into the playoffs and we can take another one with getting the home court.”

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In a first for the franchise, almost 94% of season-ticket holders renewed for the 2006-07 season and purchased playoff packages, according to a team official.

“We’re very grateful for the tremendous positive response,” said Joe Safety, vice president of communications. “It’s a combination of the quality of our product and the incredible loyalty of our fan base.

“Also, our overall sales and marketing approach to this season, as well as the playoffs, was well-conceived and well-executed. Now our goal is to carry it through the postseason, into next year and beyond.”

Individual playoff tickets for the two games the Clippers are assured of playing at Staples Center are scheduled to go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster outlets, the Staples Center box office, online at clippers.com or by calling (800) 4NBA-TIX.

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Swingman Corey Maggette, sidelined because of a herniated disk, is scheduled to receive his second epidural injection Monday.

The Clippers expressed optimism Thursday that Maggette would be able to return for the playoffs.

“He’ll probably be able to go after he gets” the second epidural, Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “If you took an MRI of 100 people, eight out of 10 people would probably show a herniated disk. His is very minimal. Basically, it’s fine once you let it calm down.”

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Former Clipper Chris Wilcox, traded for Vladimir Radmanovic, has been productive for Seattle.

In 26 games, including 20 starts, the forward-center has averaged 14.7 points and eight rebounds. Wilcox had 26 points and 24 rebounds April 4 in a 104-87 victory over the Houston Rockets.

“I don’t think they thought I had these type of performances in me,” Wilcox said of the Clippers. “If they thought I had that in me, they wouldn’t have traded me.”

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Under new postseason rules, teams are permitted to change their 13-man active lists before each game, Dunleavy said.

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TONIGHT

at Seattle, 7:30, FSN Prime Ticket

Site -- KeyArena.

Radio -- 1150, 830.

Records -- Clippers 45-33, SuperSonics 33-45.

Record vs. SuperSonics -- 2-0.

Update -- Center Chris Kaman had his sore right knee examined Thursday by a physician in Seattle. Kaman matched his personal best with 25 points Jan. 14 in a 98-72 victory over Seattle at Staples Center.