Clippers’ Randy Foye adjusts to starting role

Reporting from Portland, Ore. -- The numbers don’t tell the entire story — at least not in the eyes of Clippers guard Randy Foye and Coach Vinny Del Negro.

Foye has started six consecutive games for the Clippers in place of Chauncey Billups, who is out for the season because of a torn left Achilles’ tendon.

Foye has not shot well, but his defense, hustle and all-around play have not gone unnoticed.

“I think he’s getting a little more comfortable,” Del Negro said. “He hasn’t shot it great. But Randy plays hard. The guys really respect him and he gives you great effort. We have a lot of confidence in Randy.”

In his last five starts before Thursday, Foye shot 34.8% (16 for 46) from the field and 28% (seven for 25) from three-point range. He averaged 10 points and three assists.

“I’m just focusing on winning,” Foye said. “That’s all that matters. Everything else will handle itself. I know what I can do. I know a lot of other people know what I can do. So, my main thing is just to win and everything else will handle itself.”

No dunking for Griffin

Blake Griffin will not be in the dunk contest during the NBA’s All-Star weekend Feb. 24-26 at Orlando.

That means the Clippers’ All-Star forward won’t be participating in events on three consecutive days, something he did last season during All-Star weekend at Staples Center and something Griffin said took a toll on him for a month after it was over.

With the Clippers eyeing the playoffs and playing 20 games in 31 days in March, it is best for Griffin not to wear his legs out.

“Any rest that guys can get is obviously a benefit,” Del Negro said. “I think we have to be smart about it for our players.”

Griffin is scheduled to play in the Rising Stars Challenge on Feb. 24 — he was chosen to be on TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal’s team during the network’s NBA telecast Thursday night — and in the All-Star game Feb. 26; Griffin was voted into the starting lineup by fans.

“He can participate if he wanted to and it’s his right to, but Blake went through a difficult All-Star weekend last year,” Del Negro said. Griffin played in the rookie-sophomore game Friday, won the dunk contest Saturday and then played in the All-Star game Sunday.

“He knows how it is.”

Houston’s Chase Budinger, Indiana’s Paul George, New York’s Iman Shumpert and Minnesota’s Derrick Williams will be the players in the dunk contest this year.

broderick.turner@latimes.com

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