Small Lineup Not Taking Key Rebounds

Since Coach Alvin Gentry began using rookie Darius Miles at power forward nearly a month ago, the Clippers have lived and died with a small lineup.

With Miles using his quickness and athleticism, the Clippers have given opposing teams matchup problems because they have been able to play a more up-tempo game. Miles has 10 dunks over the last three games, mainly because he has been able to beat his man down the floor in transition.

But there has been one major drawback. Despite Miles’ solid rebounding numbers--four consecutive games with more than 10--the Clippers still lack physical toughness inside. And that has contributed to the team’s season-long failure to take key defensive rebounds late in games.

“When the ball goes up, it is man against man, and you go get it,” Gentry said. “It’s boxing your man out and go get the ball. We haven’t always been doing that and when that happens, you are probably going to lose.”

The Clippers led the league in rebounding for much of the first six weeks of the season, but they have not been hitting the boards lately.

“I’ve been really disappointed with how we have played over the last four or five games,” Gentry said. “We’re not pursuing the ball like we were. We are not coming up with loose balls the same. It’s becoming a concern of ours.

“It’s [not Miles]. We have a big enough and good enough team to have everyone rebound the basketball. That’s what it comes down to, all five guys have to do it.”

*

The Clippers will join Mitsubishi Motors in a program to promote the fundamentals of basketball, sportsmanship and athletics as an alternative to negative influences for more than 700 inner-city children, ages 5-15. The Mitsubishi Junior Clippers Program, which includes reduced-rate participation in a youth city basketball league, will be introduced Saturday at the Normandie Recreation Center at 2 p.m. Gentry along with several players will distribute team uniforms for the kids.

TONIGHT

vs. Charlotte, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 11-22, Hornets 20-13.

* Record vs. Hornets--0-1.

* Update--Charlotte has lost four in succession since winning seven consecutive games. The Hornets have won six in a row over the Clippers, most recently a 92-87 decision at Charlotte on Dec. 8. The last time the Clippers defeated the Hornets was Dec. 3, 1996.

* Tickets--(800) 462-2849.