Robinson Makes Personal Gains

Guard James Robinson, signed to a $10.5-million, five-year contract to do something he can’t do, play point guard, is finally adapting.

Robinson registered season-bests of 20 points and 24 minutes in Saturday’s 108-99 loss at Washington.

Robinson, who went into the game shooting a career-low 31.3%, made seven of 11 shots, including four three-point shots. He also had four rebounds, four assists and a steal.

Robinson scored 18 points in the second half, 12 in the final quarter.

Robinson, who had been held out of five of six games by Coach Bill Fitch, has been the first guard off the bench in the last three games, averaging 19.7 minutes a game.

A streak shooter, Robinson got into a groove against the Wizards, making six of his final seven shots.

“I just came off the bench and hit my first jumper and went from there,� Robinson said. “I’ve been a scorer all my life, but I’d rather win some games.�

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Forward Rodney Rogers, who missed the final 16 1/2 minutes of Saturday night’s loss after being hit in the left eye by Wizard forward Chris Webber, said he won’t wear goggles to protect his eye from further damage.

“I don’t need all that,� Rogers said. “Hopefully, I’ll be well enough to play Monday [against the Minnesota Timberwolves].�

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Martin Luther King III will speak at a luncheon before today’s Clipper-Timberwolves game at the Target Center.

TODAY at Minnesota

* 12:30 PST

Site--Target Center.

Radio--KEZY (95.9), LITE (92.7).

Records--Clippers 10-30, Timberwolves 21-16.

Record vs. Timberwolves--0-1.

Update--Forward Lorenzen Wright, who has missed four consecutive games because of a sprained right ankle, hopes to play today. Wright, who has sat out eight of nine games because of knee and ankle injuries, had averaged 16.4 rebounds in his last eight games before spraining ligaments in his left knee Jan. 2 at Oakland. The Timberwolves have won a team-record five consecutive games, including back-to-back overtime victories at Houston and Dallas last weekend. Minnesota is five games above .500 for the first time in franchise history.