CLIPPERS NOTEBOOK: CLIPPERS' BRAND OF DILIGENCE.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

Thirty minutes after Clippers practice, no one was left at L.A. Southwest College except Elton Brand. He remained on the court, working with assistant Igor Kokoskov.

The Clippers are as banged up as they ever have been this season and had an abbreviated 45-minute practice Friday. Besides the three players on the injured list - Lamar Odom, Corey Maggette and Keyon Dooling - the player who has it worst is Darius Miles, who did not practice and is questionable for tonight's game with a sore left knee.

Most other players shot around, then scurried home to rest. Not Brand.

``It's just free-throw and spot shooting,'' Brand said. ``It's nothing too strenuous. We know at this point that we definitely need the rest.''

The Clippers are 1 1/2 games behind Utah for the final playoff spot in the West. Tonight they have yet another important game against visiting Phoenix, which has lost six consecutive games. It is the first of three games in four nights for L.A.

``I didn't even know Phoenix lost six in a row,'' Brand said. ``We know they're tough, and the players that they have, they're going to compete.''

--Two more injuries: Two other players joined Miles on the sidelines and didn't practice, though they are probable for tonight's game.

Michael Olowokandi missed practice with a sore left knee. Quentin Richardson, who already has a left-thigh bruise, has another new injury - a sprained left big toe.

--Fowlkes a new dad: Newly signed Tremaine Fowlkes missed practice Friday but had an excused absence: He went to Sacramento to see his new son, Khalil Jahmal Fowlkes, who was born Thursday.

Fowlkes' girlfriend, Naima Thomas, gave birth to the 7-pound, 14-ounce boy in Sacramento. Fowlkes hurried to witness the birth, then hurried back to Oakland for Thursday's 116-96 victory over Golden State. Then, he went right back to Sacramento.

Fowlkes was hoping for the birth to happen Tuesday, when the team plays in Sacramento, but Thomas delivered early.

--Another Ralph: Reserve center/forward Obinna Ekezie has nabbed a new nickname, ``Ralph.'' It's his middle name.

Ralph Lawler, the voice of the Clippers, was surprised.

``What a coincidence!,'' he said. ``My middle name is Obinna.''

CLIPPERS vs. PHOENIX

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. at Staples Center.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net 2; 1150-AM.

Clippers (36-33) update: The Clippers are 1 1/2 games behind Utah for the final playoff spot in the West. They have won two consecutive games, including Thursday's 116-96 blowout of Golden State. Elton Brand had 30 points and 16 rebounds, and Jeff McInnis had 18 points and 13 assists in that victory. The Clippers are 2-0 against the Suns this season and will end their series with two games against them in six days.

Phoenix (30-38) update: The Suns have lost six consecutive games, including Thursday's 95-82 loss against the visiting Detroit Pistons. It is the first time they've lost six in a row since 1997. Penny Hardaway and Stephon Marbury led the team with 16 points each. However, they struggled as Hardaway shot 6 of 16 and Marbury shot 6 of 15.

- Joe Stevens

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CLIPPERS vs. PHOENIX (see text)