LAKERS-CLIPPERS REPORT

Although the Clippers are 0-2 against the Lakers this season, they head into tonight’s game optimistic about ending a long losing streak to their Staples Center neighbors.

That’s because in both losses, the Clippers played the Lakers tough. They held a second-half lead before losing, 108-103, on Nov. 5 and they led by as many as 10 points early in a 98-83 loss Nov. 27.

“It gives us a little confidence going in there, but we have to play our ‘A’ game,” co-captain Lamar Odom said. “We need everything cooking. Having our defense on, our offense on, making our free throws. We need everything to go right, which is something we haven’t done against them yet.”

The Clippers, who are coming off a winless two-game trip, have enough issues to keep them from putting too much emphasis on defeating the Lakers.

“We’re not going to make a big deal out of it. We’re playing the Lakers, who are the world champs and a very good basketball team,” Coach Alvin Gentry said. “They have the best player in the game in Shaq and the next best player in Kobe. When you have the two best players in the NBA, you’re going to be really good.”

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One player who usually is in the game when the Clippers mount their recent comebacks has been veteran Eric Piatkowski, who has worked well in the fourth quarter with young players like Keyon Dooling, Corey Maggette and Darius Miles.

“We just seem to get a good combination in the fourth quarter,” Piatkowski said. “We run, play good defense and scramble real well. . . . It’s just too bad that we get it going when we are down by 20.

“But we seem to have a different group every night. . . . It’s something that happens when we get our confidence level up and then it is so much easier to get the other team on their heels.”

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Odom said the Clippers’ youth has contributed to many of the team’s mistakes when the game has been on the line.

“We’re young. If there’s a team that plays and counts on as many young players as we do, let me know,” he said. “We have five guys who are 21 or younger and we’re all in the NBA playing together. As long as we’re in games, we’re gaining. Our mood is good and because everyone wants to win so bad, everyone wants to make the big play.”

TONIGHT

Clippers vs. Lakers, 7:30

Channel 9

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KLAC (570), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Clippers 10-20, Lakers 21-10.

* Season series--Lakers lead, 2-0.

* Update--The last time the Clippers defeated the Lakers (March 14, 1997), five of their players weren’t even juniors in high school. Odom averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds in the two losses to the Lakers.

* Tickets--(800) 462-2849.