LAKERS / CLIPPERS REPORT

Until the Clippers can figure out what works best for them, Coach Alvin Gentry will continue to juggle his lineup combinations.

That’s how swingman Tyrone Nesby went from a “DNP-Coach’s decision” in the Clippers’ victory over Houston on Saturday to starting shooting guard against the Lakers on Sunday.

“Our guys have to understand that on certain nights, guys are going to play and other nights they are not,” Gentry said. “It’s going to be what I feel is going to best help us win games. Guys have to be receptive of that.

“Until we figure out without question what we can do night in and night out rotation-wise, we are going to have different lineups.”

Nesby, who entered Sunday’s game shooting a team-low 25% from the field, started in place of rookie Darius Miles, who has had some problems defending NBA shooting guards. Gentry moved Miles to small forward and started Lamar Odom at power forward in place of Brian Skinner.

Odom is the key to the Clippers’ lineup moves, according to Gentry.

“That’s what is so great about Lamar because he is so versatile that he can play [at power forward],” Gentry said. “But I also think it’s hard to judge Lamar by the stat sheet on what he means to our team. He can have 13 points, seven rebounds, six assists and that may not look like big numbers but he gets the big baskets, rebounds and plays.”