Practice Makes Them Far From Perfect

If NBA games were won in practice, the Clippers would be a lock for the playoffs.

Unfortunately, games are not won that way, which explains the Clippers’ 4-11 record.

Except for several highlight dunks from Tyrone Nesby, Derek Anderson, Lamar Odom and Maurice Taylor, the Clippers have been leaving their best play in the team’s Carson practice facility.

“We look at [game] film, see our mistakes and then come out here and work on them,� Nesby said after practice Friday. “But when game time comes, we are right back to where we started.

“One night we might play good defense. Then, the next night we play good on offense but no defense. Once we put that together, then we’ll be all right.�

Coach Chris Ford wants his players to keep in mind that it’s a long season, and that they have to continue to work to get better.

“We can’t regress,� Ford said. “I’ve seen them hang their heads, but that’s our job to keep them pumped up . . . but we can’t keep making the same mistakes.�

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Counting the exhibition season, the Clippers will be playing Seattle for the fourth time in less than five weeks when they face the SuperSonics today at Staples Center. The Clippers won when the game didn’t count and are 0-2 against the SuperSonics since the start of the regular season.

“We’re pretty familiar with them,� Ford said. “You never know how people are going to react until the ball’s tossed up to start the game. We’re trying to stay positive.�

TONIGHT

vs. Seattle, 1

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 4-11, SuperSonics 12-4.

* Record vs. SuperSonics--0-2.

* Update--Seattle has defeated the Clippers 10 consecutive times and is coming off a win at Golden State on Thursday. Gary Payton leads the SuperSonics with 21.7 points and 9.5 assists a game. Clipper shooting guard Derek Anderson is averaging 24 points in two games against Seattle.

*Tickets--(213) 745-0500 or (213) 480-3232.