Singleton Has Been Ready for the Call

Coach Mike Dunleavy says he is satisfied with his current player rotation, but that doesn’t mean those who aren’t getting much court time now won’t in the future.

“The NBA season is a long one,” Dunleavy said. “Everybody’s going to have a chance. It comes your way at some point; you just have to be ready to take advantage of it.”

One of the young players developing in the absence of Corey Maggette has been rookie James Singleton, who has played in 37 games, averaging 13.7 minutes. That figure has increased to 17.5 minutes the last six games. Singleton is averaging only 3.9 points, but he brings energy, rebounding and defense.

Singleton, 6 feet 8 and 215 pounds, has endured stretches of inactivity but was ready when Dunleavy turned to him.

“He’s done a good job [defending] the type of player he matches up with,” Dunleavy said. “And he’s expanded in his role of who he can guard. He’s been guarding small forwards and big small forwards. Now he’s gotten better at guarding even smaller guys. So there have been positives.”

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Elton Brand’s 44 points against Memphis, which matched his career high, were sorely needed considering the rest of the team had 47.

Brand said he could sense the other Clippers were struggling, especially in the second and third quarters.

“I felt that some of the other guys just weren’t hitting,” Brand said Saturday. “We were down eight and nine points [in the third quarter] and I just wanted to assert myself, kind of impose my will. Especially when I was hot like that.”

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TONIGHT

vs. Chicago, 7:30, FSNW2

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--1150.

Records--Clippers 30-18; Bulls 21-28.

Record vs. Chicago (2004-05)--2-0.

Update--Cuttino Mobley, who has been bothered by a dislocated knuckle on his left (shooting) hand, may try and wear a protective glove tonight. The glove is fingerless and open at the palm, but covers the knuckles and top of the hand with a large pad. “It will protect my knuckle from getting hit,” said Mobley, who practiced extensively with the glove Saturday. “I just want to protect the hand a little. Just because it’s messed up doesn’t mean I can’t play.”