Hard Schedule Comes Amid Hard Times

The calendar indicates it’s time for the Clippers to get their act together. The schedule indicates it’s going to be difficult if they hope to escape the Pacific Division cellar and rejoin a Western Conference playoff race that’s passed them by.

“We’ve got to start winning some games,” Coach Alvin Gentry said before the Clippers lost Thursday at Dallas and Friday at Memphis to extend their losing streak to five consecutive games. The Clippers also have lost seven of eight.

Starting with today’s matinee against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center, the Clippers play nine of their next 10 games against teams that qualified for the playoffs last season and appeared destined for the postseason again in 2002-03. The only non-qualifier is Memphis, which knocked off the Clippers 116-111 Friday.

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Center Michael Olowokandi sat out Friday’s game because of a sore left knee. Sixth man Quentin Richardson sprained his left ankle three minutes into the game. The team also was without guard Eric Piatkowski (abdominal strain) and Marko Jaric (sprained left ankle), who are on the injured list.

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TODAY

vs. San Antonio, 12:30,

Channel 5, Telemundo

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KXTA (1150).

Records--Clippers 12-21, Spurs 21-13.

Record vs. Spurs--1-1.

Update--Fans are encouraged to arrive early because of anticipated heavy traffic on streets around the Staples Center and the L.A. Convention Center, which is hosting the Auto Show. The Clippers and Spurs have each won against each other on their home court, with the Clippers taking a 91-79 victory from the Spurs in their most recent meeting Dec. 16 at Staples.