Another Learning Experience for Miles

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —  The learning-on-the-job experience for rookie Darius Miles took a turn Friday when he spent much of the game playing power forward against Charlotte big men P.J. Brown and Lee Nailon.

Miles, who finished with only four points and four rebounds, played well, and his block of a fourth-quarter layup by the Hornets’ Jamal Mashburn will certainly be a candidate for Clipper highlight play of the year.

“To me, it doesn’t matter where I play as long as I am on the floor,” said Miles, who will go against one of his role models in Kevin Garnett tonight when the Clippers conclude their six-game trip against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“I really just see myself as a player. I don’t have a position.”

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One has to wonder what else can happen to Lamar Odom. He started Friday’s game but played only six minutes. Odom had spent much of the day vomiting and sick with chills and was told by Coach Alvin Gentry not to play. Nonetheless, Odom gave it a try.

“I ate some nachos but I really don’t know what it is,” Odom said. “I tried to play but I started feeling queasy and I knew I wouldn’t be helping the team. Something got to me right now.”

Odom will try to play tonight at Minnesota. If he doesn’t, Corey Maggette will likely start in his place at small forward.

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Rookie Quentin Richardson made four of his first six field-goal attempts, including three three-point baskets, and had 11 points in the first quarter.

The rest of the game, however, Richardson struggled to regain his touch as he missed three of his last four attempts and finished with 13 points in 27 minutes.

“I didn’t want to force anything, even though I knew I was hitting,” Richardson said. “This is just another learning experience for me.”

TONIGHT

vs. Minnesota,

5, Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Target Center

* Radio--KLAC (570)

* Records--Clippers 6-15, Timberwolves 11-8.

* Record vs. Timberwolves (1999-2000 season)--3-1.

* Update--Over the last two seasons, two of the Clippers’ biggest road victories have come at Minnesota, even though the Timberwolves have won 12 of the last 15 games between the teams.