Miles Inspires Richardson

It was only an exhibition, but Quentin Richardson was fired up.

Leading the Clippers onto the Staples Center floor before Friday’s 95-90 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, he waved his arms in an effort to get the crowd, sparse though it was, to make some noise.

And when he threw down a dunk over Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the first quarter, he celebrated so exuberantly that he drew a technical foul.

Then there was Richardson’s matchup against Cavalier guard Darius Miles, a former Clipper and Richardson’s best friend.

“I always get a kick out of getting to play against somebody I’m that close to,� Richardson said.

Richardson scored 13 points in 24 minutes, Miles 11 in 32 and rarely did either shut up when they matched up. Richardson drew the technical for jawing in Miles’ direction.

“I was just messing with him after I dunked on Z,� he said. “He was just like, ‘So, it wasn’t on me.’ I said, ‘Ain’t gotta be on you; it was on your team. You know you’re going to hear about it tonight when we eat.’ �

Was the technical justified?

“No way,� he said. “I didn’t even say nothing to the actual player I dunked on. I was just screaming. I thought that was allowed. That was, like, excitement. That’s what they want. Can’t even show emotion?�

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Not even LeBron James could attract a crowd for the 4:30 p.m. tipoff. Only a few hundred fans were in their seats when the game started.

The 18-year-old rookie, after making four of 18 shots in Thursday night’s loss to the Lakers, made five of 14 against the Clippers and led the Cavaliers with 16 points.

“He’s a very talented guy,� said Glen Rice of the Clippers said. “You look at this kid and you’re like, ’18 and he’s got that physique?’ Tremendous upside ...

“He’s so fundamentally sound. You just don’t see that out of kids coming out of high school. Usually they need two or three years of college to develop that. That just shows what his work ethic is like.�

James also had four assists, three rebounds and seven turnovers.

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Corey Maggette led the Clippers with 15 points and Bobby Simmons scored 14 .... Elton Brand and Chris Kaman again sat out because of injuries, and Coach Mike Dunleavy said neither is expected to play Sunday .... Rice made four of 11 shots and scored 11 points.