Kaman urged to adjust with ‘one-dribble rule’

WASHINGTON —  It’s called the “one-dribble rule,” and it could help Chris Kaman maximize his potential.

The 7-foot center has a variety of low-post moves and possesses the ability to dribble effectively with either hand, but Kaman often does too much with the ball.

Kaman’s productivity could increase if he dribbled more efficiently, Coach Mike Dunleavy figured, so Dunleavy instituted the rule in practice recently.

Dunleavy and assistant Kim Hughes, who works with the big men, have instructed Kaman to dribble only once before making his move toward the basket.

Limiting his dribbling also makes it more difficult for opponents to double-team Kaman, Dunleavy said.

Kaman impressed while following Dunleavy’s rule in Wednesday’s 110-95 victory over the Miami Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena.

He made his first six shots from the field, finished nine of 12 and scored 20 points in 43 minutes. Heat center Alonzo Mourning -- a two-time NBA defensive player of the year -- struggled while guarding Kaman for most of the game.

“He’s got the ability to score over big guys,” Dunleavy said. “He’s got the left hand, the right hand, and he just takes the ball away from [defenders] and scores. Zo is a shot blocker, and those guys typically come from the weak side and get you unless you just put it right back into them.

“So it’s going to be hard to block if you go left hand, right hand, put a body on them and shoot the ball high off the glass or with a high arch. It’s all about reads for him. As he gets older, as he gets better, the better decisions he makes ... that’s the only thing that stops him from having a great offensive game.”

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The Clippers received strong performances from point guards Shaun Livingston and Daniel Ewing in Wednesday’s victory.

Livingston, in foul trouble early, finished with 12 points and nine assists. Ewing filled in well while Livingston played only nine minutes in the first half.

The second-year player matched his career-high with 12 points (on five-for-eight shooting), had five assists and five rebounds.

“He played a very good game in the role of making plays, shooting the ball, getting good shots and controlling tempo,” Dunleavy said. “I thought he gave us a big spark off the bench.”

TONIGHT

at Washington, 4 PST, Channel 5

Site -- Verizon Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 15-17, Wizards 18-13.

Record vs. Wizards (2005-06) -- 2-0.

Update -- Cuttino Mobley, who sat out Wednesday’s game because of a hyperextended left (shooting) elbow, practiced Thursday The Clippers are 1-1 on a six-game, 10-day trip. Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas is third in the league in scoring at 30.3 points a game.

jason.reid@latimes.com