Cassell uneasy as backup

Sam Cassell is still sitting and waiting, which isn’t what he expected.

The vocal point guard figured he would be leading the Clippers to new heights in his 14th season, but things have not gone according to plan for him or the team.

Cassell is sidelined because of a painful heel injury, and the Clippers are two games under .500 as they begin a six-game, 10-day trip tonight against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena.

The Clippers, however, have won three in a row, and Cassell said he hoped to return soon. But it could take time for him to become comfortable in his new role as Shaun Livingston’s backup.

“It’s a whole new role for me right now,” Cassell said. “Me coming off the bench ... I’m just not used to this. I’m not the type of guy who comes in and gives you a spark. That’s just not my whole thing. I can try to do it, but I’m not accustomed to it.”

Coach Mike Dunleavy made the move before Cassell suffered the injury, going with Livingston as the starter because of the third-year guard’s playmaking skills. Livingston is also considered a better defender than Cassell, so Dunleavy decided it was time to look toward the future, but few point guards in the league can keep pace scoring with Cassell when he’s healthy.

In 23 games, Cassell is averaging 13.3 points and 4.6 assists. Cassell averaged 17.2 points last season and has averaged 16.2 points in his career.

“People see me on the streets and ask me, ‘Are you starting when you come back?’ My answer is that I don’t control that. I’m a ballplayer, I’m not a coach yet,” Cassell said. “Sometimes people put a lot of pressure on Shaun because he’s not me.

“It’s not fair to think Shaun is going to do the same things I’m going to do. You just can’t do it. Shaun’s game and my game are totally different. The things we do for this basketball team are totally different, so everyone should just let Shaun be Shaun.”

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TONIGHT

at Orlando Magic, 4 PST, FSN Prime Ticket

Site -- Amway Arena.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 14-16, Magic 18-14.

Record vs. Magic -- 1-0.

Update -- Elton Brand scored a game-high 31 points in a 116-91 rout of the Magic on Dec. 3 at Staples Center. Orlando forward-center Dwight Howard leads the league in rebounding at 12.5 a game.

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jason.reid@latimes.com