Boykins Earning His Recognition

INDIANAPOLIS — At some point in tonight’s game against Indiana, Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry will insert Earl Boykins into the lineup and somewhere in the Conseco Fieldhouse crowd, someone will joke about his 5-foot-5 height.

Boykins, who played in 25 games with Cleveland last season, is having fun showing people his skills, however. With more offensive game than the league’s previous players shorter than 5-8, such as Spud Webb and Muggsy Bogues, Boykins is a defensive nightmare for opposing point guards.

“I just want to change the tempo of the game, both offensively and defensively,” Boykins said.

“I want the game to be up-tempo and to get easy baskets. I know if you get layups, you win.”

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Although he hasn’t been putting up huge numbers, center Michael Olowokandi has been more active on defense and steadier on offense.

“I’m feeling better . . . I feel a lot lighter on my feet,” Olowokandi said. “That’s a big key and there really is no explanation for it. I’ve been a lot more active and that helps a lot. I am able to help out guys and be around the ball more.”

His play has not gone unnoticed by Gentry.

“He’s been playing well over the last couple of weeks . . . You can’t judge everything that he does by stats,” Gentry said about Olowokandi. “He has been intimidating defensively and he’s come up with big offensive rebounds.”

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Rookie Keyon Dooling is eligible to be activated from the injured list after missing the last five games because of viral syndrome. . . . Shooting guard Corey Maggette, who suffered a head injury caused by an accidental elbow from Atlanta Hawk center Dikembe Mutombo on Saturday, will miss the next three games because of a mild concussion.

TONIGHT

at Indiana, 4 PST

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Conseco Fieldhouse.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 13-26, Pacers 17-21.

* Record vs. Pacers--0-1.

* Update--The Clippers lost to Indiana, 85-82, at Staples Center last Monday. The Pacers have won 13 of the last 14 games between the teams. The Clippers have lost seven in a row at Indiana.