Livingston enjoys encouraging signs

It was only one brief stretch in the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s loss to the Lakers at Staples Center, but it was something positive for Shaun Livingston.

The struggling backup point guard scored seven of his nine points in the Clippers’ 13-0 run to start the period.

Although the Lakers finished stronger than their co-dwellers in a 105-101 victory, Livingston’s aggressive play late in the game could have been a turning point for him and them, the Clippers said.

“He just needs to continue to be Shaun,” sixth man Corey Maggette said. “It’s like I tell him all the time, ‘There’s no pressure, just do what you do.’ That’s it.

“From when he came in as a rookie, I could see that he had a world of talent. He just needs to go out there and play and believe in himself. He’s getting there.”

Livingston is averaging 6.9 points and 3.8 assists. In Wednesday’s loss to the Seattle SuperSonics, Livingston had nine points.

The third-year player had a rough three-game stretch before the Clippers-Lakers game, scoring six points combined while missing 10 of 13 shots from the field. He’s shooting 37.9% this season.

“I feel my role on this team is to create for others and myself,” Livingston said. “With that comes confidence, but it’s not easy. I’m just trying to be consistent. Obviously, that’s what I’m striving for.”

After working out hard last summer with assistant coaches, Livingston, who added about 10 pounds of muscle and seemed to improve his perimeter shooting, impressed in the exhibition season while Sam Cassell sat out because of a strained left calf.

Livingston has not been assertive since Cassell rejoined the starting lineup in the second game of the season, but the Clippers have confidence in Livingston.

“It’s going to happen for Shaun, there’s no doubt about it,” Maggette said. “He just needs to play and relax.”

*

For the first time this season, center Chris Kaman had consecutive games of at least 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Kaman had 12 points and 10 rebounds against the Lakers and 12 points and 14 rebounds against the SuperSonics. He’s averaging 8.2 points and seven rebounds.