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Christie might get a longer tryout

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Times Staff Writer

The Clippers are expected to sign guard Doug Christie to a second 10-day contract after his first expires Friday.

“It’s very possible,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said Tuesday before a 102-90 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

“He’s a player who we think has a chance to impact some of the stuff that we do. We’re going to give ourselves every opportunity to find out.”

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On Tuesday, Christie appeared in his second game with the team, played 21 minutes and scored two points while missing four of five shots from the field. Christie, who played only two minutes in his previous appearance, was on the court for more than nine minutes in the fourth quarter.

The Clippers left on a seven-game, 12-day trip -- their longest of the season -- after signing Christie, who has had only two full practices with the team because of the schedule. The Clippers might need more time to evaluate Christie, Dunleavy said.

“He had another day of practice yesterday, and the more we see the more we like, so that’s good news,” Dunleavy said. “Unfortunately, he came into a situation where we played a home game and then left on a seven-game road trip.

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“It wasn’t conducive to getting him in the flow right away. He’s had a chance to see some stuff, and he’s had two legitimate practices, so you could see us using him a little bit.”

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Tim Thomas needed more tickets.

A native of nearby Paterson, N.J., approximately 30 miles west of New York, Thomas received many ticket requests from family and friends to attend Tuesday’s game.

On the road, NBA players are allocated only two tickets, so Thomas said he purchased “about 30 tickets” for his first game here since he was traded to the Chicago Bulls before the start of the 2005-06 season.

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Thomas made six of 11 three-point shots and scored 22 points off the bench.

“It’s always special when you come back to the Garden,” said Thomas, who played two-plus seasons with the Knicks. “This is where it’s at ... the Mecca of basketball.

“Having a chance to play here for two years was a big thrill for me in my career. Growing up and always watching the Knicks, to actually become a Knick was something special for me. I really enjoyed the time I was here.”

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TONIGHT

at Cleveland, 4 PST,

FSN Prime Ticket

Site -- Quicken Loans Arena.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 24-24, Cavaliers 27-21.

Record vs. Cavaliers -- 0-1.

Update -- The Clippers have lost their last two games. Cleveland star forward LeBron James had 28 points, six rebounds and six assists Jan. 13 in a 104-92 victory over the Clippers at Staples Center. James is averaging 26.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and six assists.

jason.reid@latimes.com

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