Resurgence begins with Maggette

With time running out and the Clippers stuck in neutral, Coach Mike Dunleavy put the ball in Corey Maggette’s hands and hoped for the best.

The result is a four-game winning streak and a two-game lead over the Golden State Warriors for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Western Conference.

The Clippers (34-36) could match their longest winning streak of the season tonight against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center, and their new playmaker wants to help make it happen.

“We’re all trying to do everything we can to get to the playoffs, everyone on the team is focused on that, and I’m trying to make plays for my teammates,” Maggette said. “I’m just thankful for the opportunity that Mike has given me, and I want to make it work for my team.”

During the four-game streak, Maggette is averaging 23 points, 5.3 assists and shooting 59% from the field, while the Clippers are averaging more than 105 points -- 10 points higher than their season average.

“And it’s not just the last four games, we’ve been playing well for a while now, and Corey has been playing great,” Chris Kaman said. “In the last 10 games, Corey is having a way better season than he started off having.

“He has been really smart. He’s making smart passes, taking good shots and being patient. It’s really paying off for him and us.”

Problems at the point-guard position prompted Dunleavy to “tweak things a little bit more” on offense.

Sam Cassell has been slowed throughout the season by injuries, Shaun Livingston is sidelined for the season after having reconstructive knee surgery, newcomer Jason Hart is still learning the offense and second-year player Daniel Ewing is better suited to play the shooting guard.

Before their current win streak, the Clippers had lost five in a row, including the first two games of their previous trip, but remained in playoff contention because the other teams vying for the conference’s eighth spot also struggled.

Dunleavy, however, figured the Clippers needed to make a move quickly to remain in the race, so he altered the offense, relying more on ball movement, Maggette and Cuttino Mobley. Dunleavy often called pick-and-roll plays for Cassell and Elton Brand last season, and encouraged Livingston “to try to run more. Now, we’re trying to create opportunities for our other guys to do a little bit more.

“We’re trying to figure out little situational plays that we can do with different personnel. We put in a couple of different plays, some more movement things, and I think we’ve got it.”

Although more ball movement has helped to increase production, players said, the playmaking ability of Maggette has made the biggest difference.

“Everybody knows about how he can get to the free-throw line,” Brand said. “But the way he’s setting everybody else up ... that’s one of the main reasons why we’re playing well.”

Maggette’s decision-making was a source of frustration in the past for Dunleavy, but it seems things have changed.

“I’ve said to him in the past, ‘Look, if I put the ball in your hands more, there’s a responsibility that comes with that. You have to make plays, extra passes and take really good shots,’ ” Dunleavy said. “I want the ball there because of his ability to get to the rim, get to the free-throw line and make 17- and 18-foot jump shots.

“I don’t want it to be there to force the issue, create charges or take tough shots. That’s not what we need from him. I want him to just take what’s there, and he has been doing a really good job of that.”

It’s all about making good decisions, Maggette said.

“I’m being patient and making it work,” said Maggette, averaging 16.1 points for the season. “I’m making better decisions and better reads. I’m not only trying to put myself in a better [scoring] position, I’m trying to put the other guys on the team in a better position. That’s what it’s about now.”

TONIGHT

vs. Houston, 7, FSN Prime Ticket, ESPN

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 34-36, Houston 45-26.

Record vs. Rockets -- 1-2.

Update -- Elton Brand scored a season-high 37 points March 14 in a 109-105 loss to the Rockets at Houston.

jason.reid@latimes.com