Injuries Take Toll on Defense, Too

The Clippers have struggled on offense without starting small forward Corey Maggette and backup center Zeljko Rebraca, who are injured and not expected to return until the end of January, and they’ve also experienced some matchup problems on defense.

Shooting guard Cuttino Mobley and backup point guard Shaun Livingston have faced bigger players during Maggette’s absence, and their workload has increased recently because backup small forward Quinton Ross (sore back) is sidelined indefinitely.

Beginning play Saturday, the Clippers still led the NBA in field-goal percentage defense at 42.1%, though things have been easier for opponents since the team has been short-handed.

“It’s really more frustrating on the defensive end,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “We spend a lot of time on stuff, but when you have so many guys out, it’s not easy.

“It’s not easy to stay focused, to try to read plays and get to your spots. We’ve got a lot of guys out, and we’re not getting some of the matchups that they were getting. Everybody goes through injuries, but when you’re talking about months, then it becomes taxing.”

Veteran players have offered support and pointers to younger players on defense during games, but that helps only so much.

“You have guys coming in not knowing where to be, so it can lead to easy layups and easy scores,” power forward Elton Brand said. “We have guys who haven’t played certain positions, so they’re not in the right spots.”

*

TONIGHT

at Portland, 6, FSN West 2

Site -- Rose Garden.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Clippers 16-12, Trail Blazers 10-19.

Record vs. Trail Blazers (2004-05) -- 2-2.

Update -- The Clippers have lost 12 straight at Portland, last winning in April 1999. Coach Mike Dunleavy twice led Portland to the Western Conference finals. The Trail Blazers are last in the Northwest Division. Forward Zach Randolph leads Portland in scoring and rebounding with averages of 18.5 points and 8.9 rebounds.