Players Profit From This Inside Information

ORLANDO, Fla. — Coach Alvin Gentry recently called on his players to get the ball to power forward Elton Brand and center Michael Olowokandi until the opposition proved it could stop the Clipper game plan.

The Orlando Magic caught on soon enough Sunday, but failed to stop the Clippers’ inside players entirely.

Brand scored 16 points and took 12 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end. Olowokandi had 21 points and 10 rebounds, eight offensive.

When the Magic attempted to stop the Clippers by double-teaming either Brand or Olowokandi on the low block, they simply whipped passes to open teammates on the perimeter.

Brand had four assists and Olowokandi three.

“We tried to keep dumping it inside, so that at the very least, they would have to double-team the post,” Gentry said. “Michael got us off to a great start and Elton made some great plays at the end.”

The Clippers moved the ball so well near the end of the game that Gentry went with only Brand as a post-up player, keeping Olowokandi on the bench for the final 5:30. Gentry believed -- correctly, as it turned out -- that the quicker Brand was better suited to guard Orlando’s Pat Garrity.

Brand’s block of Garrity’s three-point attempt with 20.4 seconds to play was one of the game’s pivotal defensive plays.

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Quentin Richardson sat out because of a bruised right knee. He suffered the injury and a cut on his left eyelid during the Clippers’ loss Friday against the New Jersey Nets.... Lamar Odom said he’s targeting the first week in December for his return from a sprained right ankle. He originally was expected back around Christmas.... The Clippers shot a season-high 56.6% from the field and 83.3% from the free-throw line.

-- Elliott Teaford