Drexler Is Difference Against Clippers : Pro basketball: Houston guard scores 41 points, grabs 18 rebounds in 108-96 victory.

These are the dog days of the NBA season, and the Clippers are rolling over and playing dead.

They extended their losing streak to eight games, their longest since opening the season with 16 losses, by falling, 108-96, to the injury-depleted Houston Rockets, who were without all-star center Hakeem Olajuwon and guard Vernon Maxwell on Thursday night before an announced crowd of 11,561 at the Sports Arena.

“I have too many things to worry about, other than losing streaks,� Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said. “I am more worried about the individual play of certain players that we had hoped would develop this season, but that just didn’t happen.�

The Clippers (14-58) have gone 20 days since their last victory, a 121-102 win over the Golden State Warriors. They must win four of their remaining 10 games to avoid the second-worst record in franchise history.

Rocket guard Clyde Drexler, who averaged 26.5 points in four games against the Clippers while he was with the Portland Trail Blazers before being traded to the Rockets on Feb. 14, tied his season high by scoring 41 points and grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds. Drexler also scored 41 points against the Clippers on Nov. 5 in Japan while he was playing for Portland.

“I believe the guy’s an elite player in the league and he proved it tonight,� Rocket Coach Rudy Tomjanovich said of Drexler. “We looked at him very closely (before trading for him) and his stats were No. 10 in the whole league. There are a lot of guys behind him who made the All-Star team. He does so many things. The thing that has been a pleasant surprise is that he’s a better passer than I expected.�

Drexler made 12 of 23 shots, including three three-point shots, in 46 minutes.

Although he would have been content to sit after Houston wrapped up the game with an 11-0 fourth-quarter spurt, his teammates were intent on helping him score 40 points. Drexler played the entire fourth quarter, scoring 14.

“He just wanted to get the game over with,� Rocket guard Sam Cassell said. “But we said, ‘Come on Clyde, it’s a chance for you to get 40.’ �

Drexler tried to downplay his performance.

“We came out with a good effort,� Drexler said. “Defensively, we were solid the first half and we were able to carry it through the second half. We needed a victory because so many people were out.

“I knew that Hakeem was out and we needed help (rebounding) from everyone, so I just tried to veer back and get them whenever I could. What can you say? It was a team effort. Other guys were blocking out and I’d come in and steal the ball.�

Although there was speculation before the season that Drexler, 32, had lost his quick first step, he has flourished.

“I’m only 21,� he said.

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Clipper Notes

Hakeem Olajuwon and Vernon Maxwell, found to have iron deficiency anemia, remained in Houston. They will be examined today and could play in Saturday’s game against Milwaukee.