Kaman Steps Up on the Double

Welcome back, Chris Kaman.

The 7-foot center broke out of a long slump, scoring 21 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in the Clippers’ 116-101 victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday. Kaman had not scored in double figures in five games and struggled on a 1-2 trip.

“The whole thing with Chris is effort,” Sam Cassell said. “If Chris puts in the effort, he’s going to be dominant. That’s one thing he has to realize.

“Me telling him ... I’ve told it to him, I’ve wrote it down for him. That can’t do it. It’s up to him, but I want people to realize that Chris Kaman can be a dominant big man in this league every night.”

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Playoff tickets will be available to the public beginning Tuesday at 10 a.m. through Clippers.com or by contacting the team’s sales office at 213-742-7555.

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As of Saturday, there were 2,000 tickets remaining for Tuesday’s game against San Antonio, a Clipper spokesman said.

TONIGHT

at Portland, 6

Site -- Rose Garden.

Radio -- 1150, 830.

Records -- Clippers 40-28, Portland 20-49.

Record vs. Trail Blazers -- 1-0.

Update -- Portland, with the worst record in the Western Conference, has lost seven games in a row and 17 of 19. The Clippers defeated the Trail Blazers, 100-94, Jan. 1 at Portland.