Los Angeles Clippers Team Report - March 21

(Basketball News) - The Los Angeles Clippers welcome the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday to the Staples Center. It is the fourth and final meeting of the season between the clubs. Portland defeated the Clippers twice at the Rose Garden, while LA knocked off the Trail Blazers, 102-98, at the Staples Center.

Overall, the home team has won nine straight and 17 of the last 19 contests in this series. Portland has won three of four and four of the last six meetings. The Blazers have lost four in a row as the visitor against the Clippers.

The Clippers enter Monday’s contest having lost two straight games. On Saturday, Cuttino Mobley and Peja Stojakovic each scored 24 points as the Sacramento Kings came through with a 111-107 overtime victory over Los Angeles at the Staples Center. Corey Maggette posted game-highs of 28 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers, who have dropped five of their last eight overall.

Elton Brand finished with 22 points for the Clippers in the loss to Sacramento, while Bobby Simmons had 19, including a clutch three-pointer with 10 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.

On the injury front, guard Marko Jaric (hip) is questionable for tonight’s game. Jaric has missed three straight games with the injury and has been on the sidelines for a total of 32 contests because of various injuries during the 2004-05 campaign.

LA is a respectable 22-13 as the host this season.

The Clippers, who play the second of a four-game homestand Monday, will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday and the Washington Wizards on Friday. Los Angeles is 0-1 against the Bucks and Wizards and will be playing both clubs for the final time in the 2004-05 campaign.

After Friday’s game, the Clippers start a seven-game road trip on Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. The Clippers will also visit the Cleveland Cavaliers, New Jersey Nets, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats and San Antonio Spurs on the swing.