Camby offers a peek at possibilities ahead

He has been back in game action for about a week, but veteran Clippers center Marcus Camby offered a tantalizing glimpse, or even an extended sneak preview of his abilities.

It came Sunday in the Clippers’ first victory this season after six losses. They beat Dallas, 103-92, and Camby had nine points and 14 rebounds in 31 minutes.

The full Camby is yet to come.

“I’m still on limited minutes,” said Camby, who has been hampered by a bruised right heel. “Tonight, I’m probably over what the trainers wanted. With Tim [Thomas] being out, and stuff like that, coach needed me to go a little bit longer.

“I’m almost there. Hopefully, when we go on that road trip I should be able to play the bulk of my minutes.”

The Clippers have ventured out of Staples Center only once this season, traveling to Utah on Nov. 1. Their next trip starts Nov. 19 at Oklahoma City.

There are three more home games before then, but Camby is progressing nicely. One of his two assists Sunday was an eye-popping outlet pass to Al Thornton after pulling down a rebound.

A bit of luck was involved, Camby said.

“I was able to gather that one in, and heard ‘Hey, MC!’ I looked up and saw a white jersey,” Camby said. “I didn’t know who it was, so I just threw it.”

Lord of the Ring

There are some amusing nicknames tossed around in the Clippers’ locker room.

“We had great play off the bench,” Camby said Sunday. “It really sparked us. Hobbit. Paul [Davis]. Ricky [Davis] came in. Everybody chipped in today.”

Wait a minute. Hobbit?

Aren’t only smallish sportswriters supposed to be called Hobbit?

In this case, it’s a 6-foot-3 guard. Camby started calling rookie Eric Gordon “Hobbit” during the preseason and the nickname appears to have some staying power.

Don’t think the Hobbit has Gordon’s three-point range, though.

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lisa.dillman@latimes.com