Change of Hemisphere Doesn’t Help Clippers

The Clippers, who have had only one winning season since moving to Los Angeles in 1984, are listed at a million-to-1 to win the NBA title by a Las Vegas oddsmaker.

If Friday night’s season-opening 121-100 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in Yokohama, Japan, was any indication, you could probably get much better odds on the Clippers’ chances for posting the worst record in NBA history.

The NBA, which is trying to expand its fan base in Japan, would be wise not to send the Clippers overseas anymore if it wants to attract new fans.

But new Clipper Coach Bill Fitch, who rebuilt four other NBA teams, didn’t expect it to be easy when he was hired to replace Bob Weiss, who was fired after the Clippers finished with a 27-55 record last season, the seventh-worst in the NBA.

Fitch, whose team trailed by as many as 35 points in the fourth quarter, could have used former Clippers Danny Manning, Ron Harper, Dominique Wilkins and Mark Jackson.

The Clippers, who lack a scoring threat, could use one like free agent Chris Webber of the Golden State Warriors. Bill Strickland, Webber’s agent, said the Clippers have shown interest in Webber, the 1994 rookie of the year.

Clipper spokesman Joe Safety, reached in Japan, denied a report out of the Bay Area that the club has tendered a $130-million, 14-year offer sheet to Webber.

“Anything can happen on this one, but it would be very difficult to structure an offer that wouldn’t be matched in all likelihood,” Safety said.

Webber, the first player selected in the 1993 draft, is a restricted free agent and the Warriors would have 15 days to match any offer. The Clippers have a $3.5-million salary slot available.

Meanwhile, forward Lamond Murray and swingman Eric Piatkowski, the Clippers’ top draft picks, got a rude welcome to the NBA before 14,239 at the Yokohama Arena.

Murray, who sat out the first two weeks of training camp before signing a $13.5-million, five-year deal on Oct. 21, looked out of shape.

Murray missed an eight-foot shot off a four-on-one break in the second quarter and dribbled the ball off his leg after losing concentration as the Clippers had 11 first-half turnovers.

In one second-quarter sequence, Piatkowski had a shot blocked by Trail Blazer center Chris Dudley and then shot an airball on an ensuing three-pointer. Portland guard Clyde Drexler, who had 26 points, eight rebounds and four assists, spun around Piatkowski for an easy layup at the other end of the court.

Trail Blazer guard Rod Strickland said Drexler, who has been slowed by injuries in recent seasons, is in the best shape of his career.

“He’s feeling real good about himself,” Strickland said. “The past few years he’s had some injuries and that’s kind of set him back. But he’s come in with a great attitude and he worked hard in the preseason.”

Clipper rookie center Matt Fish was one of the team’s few bright spots, scoring 10 points in a reserve role.

The game marked P.J. Carlesimo’s NBA coaching debut. Carlesimo, who led Seton Hall to the final game of the NCAA tournament in 1989, signed a $7-million, five-year contract to coach the Trail Blazers.

Cliff Robinson had 22 points and Strickland 17 points and seven assists for the Trail Blazers. Reserve guard Tracy Murray had 14 points in 17 minutes.

Guard Terry Dehere had a team-high 19 points for the Clippers, and forward Loy Vaught had 16 points.

Murray finished with nine points. Piatkowski missed six of seven shots and had four points.

The worst rebounding team in the NBA last season, the Clippers were outrebounded, 55-39.

The teams meet again tonight.

Clipper Notes

The Clippers, who return home Sunday, open their home season against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night at the Sports Arena. . . . Clipper guard Randy Woods, who suffered a dizzy spell during practice Thursday, played Friday night. . . . Tony Massenburg, who played the last two seasons for F.C. Barcelona in the Spanish League, started at small forward for the Clippers.