Mum’s Still the Word on Melo

Opponents’ comments are often used for motivational purposes during the postseason, so the Clippers have said all the right things about Denver forward Carmelo Anthony.

With Quinton Ross leading their effort, the Clippers harassed Anthony, the Nuggets’ No. 1 scoring option, into a 14-for-41 shooting performance in the first two games of a first-round playoff series.

Anthony’s poor play was among the keys in the Clippers’ taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, but the Clippers were careful not to provide bulletin-board material Thursday before Game 3 at Pepsi Center.

“We all know what Melo can do,” point guard Sam Cassell said. “Melo can get it going at any minute, so we just have to stay focused.”

Said Ross: “He’s a great player. You just have to work hard against him.”

Ross, with help, fared well against Anthony in the regular season and was strong again in the first two games.

The Clippers have shifted their defense toward Anthony, providing double-team support for Ross.

“We’ve got to move Melo around and help him a little bit ... get the ball to him before the defense sets,” Denver Coach George Karl said.

“But we’ve also got to pass the ball and knock down some shots to get the defenders away from him.”

Anthony often appeared frustrated as he struggled to escape from Ross, who fought through screens, denied penetration and contested shots while continuing to play with a herniated disk.

“He’s terrific,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “He has a high basketball IQ ... very rarely is he ever in the wrong spot.

“He covers his guy and somebody else’s guy. If you miss your rotation, he picks it up for you and still gets back [into his position]. He has been amazing for us, and he’s very important to what we do.”

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There’s a chess match occurring between Karl and Cassell, who played under Karl for five seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Cassell is among the game’s top clutch shooters, and Karl has tried to make things as difficult as possible for the 13-year veteran.

Defensive specialist Greg Buckner and 6-foot-9 swingman DerMarr Johnson have guarded Cassell, who averaged 16 points and nine assists in the first two games.

“I’ve got to find a way to outsmart George ... be a counter-puncher,” Cassell said. “He’s got Buckner, who’s a hell of a defender and he’s in me.

“I’ve made some great moves to escape from him, but he’s in me. I turn around, he’s there. I get a glass a water, he’s there.”

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Backup center Zeljko Rebraca played in only 29 games because of health and conditioning problems, and he struggled in the first two games against Denver.

Dunleavy, however, said he would continue to play Rebraca, who’s a skilled scorer in the low post.