Opponent--Portland Trail Blazers.Site--Sports Arena.Time--7:30.TV--Channel 9.Radio--KNEWS (540, 1260).Records--Blazers...

Opponent--Portland Trail Blazers.

Site--Sports Arena.

Time--7:30.

TV--Channel 9.

Radio--KNEWS (540, 1260).

Records--Blazers 14-15, Clippers 10-18.

Record vs. Trail Blazers (1995-96)--2-2.

Clipper update--They have lost four in a row and are out of a playoff slot for the first time in several weeks. Lacking firepower (they’re 23rd in shooting at 43% and 22nd in scoring at 91.7 points), they’re goners if they can’t contain opponents. Center Kevin Duckworth didn’t practice Thursday because of a sore left heel and is doubtful for the game.

Trail Blazer update--Even with five starters who were on four different teams last season, they went 10-6 in November while playing 10 road games. Since, they’ve gone 4-9 while playing eight at home. Kenny Anderson leads them at 18.2 points a game. Rasheed Wallace was a pleasant surprise, averaging 16.5, shooting a league-best 58.8%--before breaking his left thumb. Unfortunately, Isaiah Rider hasn’t been a surprise. He has been in and out of hot water and Coach P.J. Carlesimo benched him early in the second halves of the last two games.