Dunleavy Feels Different About Break in Schedule

Although Coach Mike Dunleavy usually prefers short breaks in the schedule, he welcomed a four-day layoff this week because several key players are injured.

The Clippers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday and face the Sacramento Kings on Friday, and Dunleavy said the Clippers could benefit from the time between games.

“You can get somewhat out of rhythm, of playing at game speed and intensity, even though you’re trying to do that in practice, if you have a lot of days off,” Dunleavy said after practice Tuesday.

“It’s not the same as turning the popcorn machine on, putting people in the stands and seeing those referee shirts. But in our situation, because of injuries, it’s probably pretty good. It’s less games that we’re playing while guys are trying to recover.”

And less strain on available players, who have increased their efforts while playing without starting small forward Corey Maggette and backup center Zeljko Rebraca, who are not expected to return until the end of January, and backup swingman Quinton Ross, who returned to practice Thursday and might play against Sacramento.

The Clippers have lost seven of 10, but ended a 12-game losing streak to the Trail Blazers at Portland, 100-94.

“Before the season, you could have put all those variables in and then said to me, ‘Would you take 17-12?’ My answer would have been, heck yeah,” Dunleavy said. “If you had said to me that we wouldn’t have one injury the whole time in the first 29 games and be 17-12, I don’t know who’d be stupid enough to say no to any of that.”

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The Clippers, seeking frontcourt help, waived backup point guard Howard Eisley, 33, to open a roster spot. The team has 14 players under contract.