They’ll try to patch a bumpy road

MINNEAPOLIS —  This is a difficult time for the Clippers, who begin a three-game, five-day trip tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.

Winless in three road games, the Clippers (6-4) have struggled recently at Staples Center too, stirring doubt among players who before the season said they expected to contend for the Pacific Division title.

Lack of confidence is among the Clippers’ problems, and it’s time for them to turn to each other for support, players said.

“The biggest thing now is to stay together,” Corey Maggette said. “We lost two games in a row at [Staples Center], but we don’t want to slip and think the world is going to end. We still have a lot of games left, so we can make up for it.

“We can take our time and then get some games on the road. We have 70-something more games to go, and we just need to regroup. When the team falls down, we just need to find a way to get back up.”

Cuttino Mobley agreed.

“We’re giving other teams confidence,” Mobley said. “We’re starting off flat and missing easy shots, letting them get easy layups. We need to soul-search a little.”

Although the Clippers began the season with a franchise-best 6-0 start on their home court, they weren’t playing well, Coach Mike Dunleavy said.

Dunleavy figured the Clippers would come together slowly because point guard Sam Cassell and center Chris Kaman were sidelined because of injuries in the exhibition season. Elton Brand has acknowledged he’s tired after his workload in the summer with the U.S. national team, and long-range shooter Tim Thomas is still learning Dunleavy’s system.

The Clippers, however, haven’t progressed to this point as Dunleavy envisioned, and now they’re on the road for three games.

“I know we can play better, and I know we have the right guys,” Dunleavy said. “We just need the light bulb to come on, and I don’t know when it will. I keep hoping it’s going to be the next game.”

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TONIGHT

at Minnesota, 5 PST, Channel 5

Site -- Target Center.

Radio -- 790.

Records -- Clippers 6-4, Timberwolves 5-6.

Record vs. Timberwolves (2005-06) -- 3-1.

Update -- Kaman might not play tonight because of a sprained left ankle, a Clippers spokesperson said. Kaman is coming off consecutive games with at least 10 points and 10 rebounds.

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jason.reid@latimes.com