Clippers Reserve This Win

It’s all about finishing strong for the Clippers, whose reserves just might provide the difference in their playoff push.

Inconsistent for much of the season, the Clipper second unit now has big potential, which it displayed Friday night in a 107-96 victory over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.

The Clippers got 38 points from their reserves, which Coach Mike Dunleavy has reduced to three players because, well, the time for experimenting has ended.

Corey Maggette had 14 points and 10 rebounds, Vladimir Radmanovic added 14 points and Shaun Livingston had 10 points and five assists.

Their contributions also helped to energize Sam Cassell, who scored a game-high 32 points, and Elton Brand, who continued to torment his former team with 19 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots.

The Clippers (35-25), who led by as many as 14 in the second half, earned a split of the season series and defeated the Bulls (27-35) for the 10th time in 12 games.

The bench was the story on Friday, and the Clippers said they have something special developing.

“This is a deep team,” said Radmanovic, who had at least four three-pointers for the fourth time in 10 games with the Clippers.

“This is a bench where, with the guys we have coming off the bench now, any of these guys on the bench could basically be starters. To have that kind of a presence on the floor is big for us.”

Brand agreed.

“Having guys come off the bench and give great production only can help,” said Brand, who had his team-leading 33rd double-double. “It’s important to win these games and have the bench contribute like that.”

The trade for Radmanovic and the return of Maggette, Livingston and defensive specialist Quinton Ross from injuries appear to have bolstered a group that relied on an inconsistent veteran and rookies earlier in the season.

Although backup center Zeljko Rebraca is still sidelined because of a strained left hamstring, the Clippers are closer to full strength than they’ve been this season.

“This is the first time in a long time that we’ve had almost all of our players,” said Cassell, who scored 19 of the Clippers’ 22 points in one stretch to help them take command in the third quarter.

“I don’t have to play added minutes and other guys don’t have to play added minutes. Mike has a pretty good rotation where he’s getting more and more comfortable with the guys he can work with.”

In a team meeting this week, Dunleavy intimated that, barring blowouts, only Maggette, Livingston, Radmanovic and Ross would play significant minutes off the bench in the final 23 games, announcing everyone would have to “park their egos at the door.”

That’s the way it should be, players said.

“The thing I like is when guys don’t worry about points or minutes,” said Cuttino Mobley, who had 10 points.

“You don’t want to be out there playing 46 minutes a game and you have no help, because that’s not about winning.

“I’m happy for Q and Corey and all those guys. Radmanovic is happy to be here, and this is the way you want it to be. San Antonio is like that. Michael Finley is not a bench player. Nick Van Exel is not a bench player, but they’re doing it to win.”

Maggette is doing his thing again, attacking the defense and getting to the free-throw line. He made 10 of 11 on Friday, and the Clippers converted 33 of 37.

“The biggest thing is that it’s just the fourth game back for me,” said the seven-year veteran, sidelined 39 games because of a foot injury.

“I’m not playing a lot of significant minutes right now because Coach is trying to work me back in slowly, and that’s fine. But like my mama always says to me, I just have to do what I do. The rest will take care of itself.”

TONIGHT

at Milwaukee, 5:30 PST, Channel 5

Site -- Bradley Center

Radio -- 1150, 830.

Records -- Clippers 35-25, Bucks 30-31.

Record vs. Bucks -- 1-0.

Update -- The Clippers defeated the Bucks, 109-85, on Nov. 15 at Staples Center.