Jackson Gets Well in Hurry : Clippers: Guard recovers from flu, outplays Thomas and paces a 111-99 victory over the Pistons.

Clipper point guard Mark Jackson, who was so sick Wednesday that he stayed in bed with flu, made the Detroit Pistons feel ill Thursday night.

Jackson, who averaged 11 points in the Clippers’ first three games, scored 21 points, including 19 in the first half, and handed out 12 assists as the Clippers defeated the Pistons, 111-99, before 9,021 at the Sports Arena.

Jackson played poorly as the Clippers lost their last two games, giving up 26 points to Denver point guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and 35 points to Phoenix guard Kevin Johnson.

“I’m not looking for no excuses,” Jackson said. “I got lit up two nights in a row. When you step on the floor you’re healthy. Two guys rolled on me in two nights, and I knew I had to take the day off after that.”

Jackson outplayed Piston point guard Isiah Thomas, who scored 15 points but missed 11 of 16 shots, as the Clippers (2-2) defeated the Pistons (2-2) for the fourth time in five games. Jackson sank seven of 11 shots, including two three-pointers, and made all five of his free throws. He scored 13 points in the second quarter as the Clippers took a 68-42 halftime lead.

“I think taking the day off yesterday really helped,” Jackson said. “I came in early today and tried to get my legs back.”

Forward Danny Manning had 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists before leaving with 6:50 remaining in the game after jamming the ring finger on his left hand as he was grabbing a pass. Although the injury isn’t believed to be serious, Manning will have his hand X-rayed today.

Center Stanley Roberts, who fouled out of the Clippers’ first two games and played only 19 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to Phoenix after getting into foul trouble, stayed out of foul trouble against the Pistons and scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

“Last game I made some stupid fouls at the beginning, but I made it through,” Roberts said. “I’ve just got to concentrate on not making fouls early in the game.”

Roberts didn’t get into foul trouble in the first half, scoring 11 points and grabbing eight rebounds in 17 minutes. The crowd gave him an ovation when he was called for his first and only foul of the game with 36.8 seconds remaining in the half.

Roberts was more active than he had been in the first two games. After grabbing a second-quarter rebound, he dribbled three-quarters of the court and set up Gary Grant for a fast-break layup. Later in the quarter, he picked up a loose ball, went up the floor and fed forward Loy Vaught for a layup.

The Clipper bench also made a big contribution as Grant scored 16 points and former Piston Mark Aguirre added 11.

Grant, who missed training camp because of a contract dispute, is beginning to feel comfortable in new Coach Bob Weiss’ motion offense.

“Gary had a great night,” Weiss said. “I had talked to him after the last game about being more aggressive offensively. I gave him the green light and he responded very well.”

Clipper Notes

Clipper center Elmore Spencer, who has played only eight minutes this season because of the emergence of 7-foot rookie Bob Martin, said he’s not disappointed. “Every first and 15th (paydays) stifles any disappointment,” Spencer said. “Right now he is playing better than me coming off the bench. The last couple games he’s blocked shots and finished the plays and the opening game I didn’t finish plays. It’s a long season and I know I can play. If the team needs my services, I’m there.” Martin played 13 minutes against Detroit, Spencer two.

* NBA Mourning’s Hornets roll to 120-87 victory over Magic. Orlando’s O’Neal is stifled by foul trouble. C7