National Team Looks to Brand

The Clippers, who play the Memphis Grizzlies in an important Western Conference game at Staples Center tonight, made a lot of mistakes in their last game, a 105-103 loss Friday at Utah.

But there is no mistaking Elton Brand’s status with the U.S. national team. Although it has been a foregone conclusion, it will be announced today that Elton Brand will be among 22 players invited to try out for Team USA.

And Brand is considered a clinch to make the team that will play in the world championships and then the 2008 Summer Olympics at Beijing. The team will be coached by Mike Krzyzewski, who coached Brand at Duke for two seasons.

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Of immediate concern is how poorly the Clippers played at Utah, particularly in the first half. Coach Mike Dunleavy had the team watch film of that game for an hour and a half at practice Saturday.

“We made too many mistakes, had too many turnovers and missed too many second-chance baskets,” Dunleavy said after practice.

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Corey Maggette, after missing 39 games because of an injury to his left foot, returned Friday and had 12 points in 25 minutes but made only three of 11 shots.

“He was not as effective as he was before, but it’s hard coming back from an injury like that,” Dunleavy said.

Dunleavy wasn’t sure how much Maggette would play tonight against the Grizzlies.

“He’ll probably play about the same, maybe a little more,” he said.

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On Monday, Brand will be at the Sierra Park Elementary School in Los Angeles to participate in the Clippers’ Read to Achieve Program.

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TONIGHT

vs. Memphis, 6, FSN West 2

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150, 830.

Records -- Clippers 33-24; Grizzlies 32-26.

Record vs. Grizzlies -- 1-0.

Update -- This is the first of four consecutive road games for the Grizzlies, who play at Denver Monday night.... The Clippers beat the Grizzlies, 91-87, at Staples Center Feb. 10.... Clipper backup center Zeljko Rebraca is expected to sit out his third consecutive game because of a hamstring injury.