Defense Has Been Missing

In trying to figure out what went wrong with the Clippers this season, people will come up with an assortment of reasons. But one constant has been the Clippers’ lack of defense.

They are last in the league in field goal percentage allowed, as opponents have shot close to 48% against the Clippers. They have given up 103 points a game and been outscored by an average of 11.8 points, the worst figure in the league.

“Our [defensive] foundation has not stayed the same,” guard Derek Anderson said. “One minute we had guards rotating and the next we have big men.”

Chris Ford and Jim Todd have tried all types of ways to get the Clippers to play better and more consistent defense, but nothing has worked.

In losing by 22 points to Minnesota on Thursday, the Clippers played like a team counting the days until the regular season ends. But with seven games remaining, Anderson disagreed with the theory the Clippers have packed it in already.

“[We’ve been losing] like that all year so it ain’t that,” said Anderson, who will not play today because of stomach flu.

TODAY

at Dallas, noon PDT

Channel 9

* Site--Reunion Arena.

* Radio--KLITE (1390).

* Records--Clippers 14-61, Mavericks 34-41.

* Record vs. Mavericks--0-3.

* Update--The Mavericks are one of the hottest teams in the league with three consecutive victories and wins in seven of their last 10 games. Dallas has won six in row over the Clippers with an average victory margin of 11.5 points.