Los Angeles Clippers Team Report - March 16

(Basketball News) - The Los Angeles Clippers attempt to closeout a brief two- game homestand with consecutive wins, as they welcome the struggling Orlando Magic on Wednesday to the Staples Center.

It will be the second and final meeting of the season between the clubs. On February 15th, Orlando knocked off the Clippers, 99-94, at TD Waterhouse Centre. With the win, the Magic snapped a two-game series losing streak.

Overall, the Clippers have won three of five and four of the last seven meetings in this series. Orlando has lost three of its last four at the Clippers.

On Sunday, former Bull Elton Brand scored 20 points and hauled down 11 rebounds as the Clippers hung on to defeat Chicago, 83-78, from the Staples Center. Corey Maggette added 19 points, while Rick Brunson and Bobby Simmons each netted 11 for the Clippers, who have won two of three following a two- game slide. Simmons pulled down 12 rebounds in the win.

Los Angeles is 12-27 when it scores under 100 points this season.

On the injury front, Clippers guards Marko Jaric (hip) and Corey Maggette (wrist) are questionable for tonight’s game.

The Clippers are a solid 21-12 as the host this season.

Brand has scored in double-digits in 61 of the 62 games he has played in this season. The Duke product has registered 32 double-doubles and has netted 20 or more points 29 times. He is second on the team in scoring (19.8 ppg) and first in rebounding (9.6 rpg).

The Clippers are scheduled to visit the Denver Nuggets on Friday and will then return home for a four-game homestand. LA will start the stand on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings. The Clippers will also host Portland, Milwaukee and Washington on the homestand.