CLIPPERS NOTEBOOK: ROOKIE SET FOR DEBUT DOOLING TO PLAY AGAINST DENVER.

Byline: Sean Kerns Staff Writer

After missing the first four preseason games with a sprained tendon in his right toe, rookie point guard Keyon Dooling is expected to receive his first action as a Clipper tonight at Denver.

Clipper coach Alvin Gentry kept Dooling out because he wanted to make sure the injury had healed. Dooling returned to practice on Wednesday after sitting out since the team returned from training camp on Oct. 9.

``He's dying to get out there,'' Gentry said. ``I told him you've got to get yourself as healthy as you can and understand that we've got enough time that we can still give you minutes.''

Dooling moved well in practice and easily threw down a dunk.

``We'll have to see when you pound on it in actual competition,'' Gentry said.

Dooling, taken 10th overall in the NBA Draft by Orlando, was acquired by the Clippers in a draft-day trade that sent Dooling, Corey Maggette and Derek Strong to the Clippers for a draft pick.

--Maggette shows patience: Maggette has the physical ability to play in the NBA but the Clippers want the 6-foot-6, 218-pound swingman to let the game come to him on offense.

Maggette, who stays after every practice to work on his shooting, didn't force much against Portland on Tuesday and finished with 20 points.

``I was just shooting the ball, staying patient and had some good looks,'' Maggette said. ``I'm being aggressive and doing what is expected of me. My objective is to go out there play good defense and rebound and help the team out.''

--Leaving on a Learjet: Darius Miles' teammates left for Denver Wednesday afternoon but the 19-year-old rookie headed for a Learjet after practice ended Wednesday morning. Miles flew to Minnesota to have his picture taken with Kevin Garnett - the player Miles patterns his own game after - for the cover of Sports Illustrated's NBA preview edition.

The last time the Clippers were on the cover of Sports Illustrated was in April, when the magazine declared them ``The Worst Franchise in Sports History.''

Miles rejoined his teammates in Denver for tonight's game against the Nuggets. So far, Miles has been solid in the preseason. He has scored in double figures in each game, finishing with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting against Portland.

``Obviously, Darius has shined in certain situations but I think overall we've been good and solid as a team,'' Gentry said.

Miles is the Clippers' leading scorer in the preseason, averaging 13.5 points a game.

--Extras: After tonight, the Clippers have two games remaining on their three-game preseason road trip. They travel to Indiana to face the Pacers at 5 p.m. on Friday. The teams play again at 1 p.m. Sunday. . . . All three games will be broadcast on XTRA 1150-AM. . . . Nuggets assistant coach John Lucas was a top candidate for the Clippers coaching vacancy this summer. . . . The Clippers improved their rebounding against Portland, outrebounding the Blazers 44-37. L.A. had 16 offensive boards. Zendon Hamilton, playing in his first preseason game, had six offensive rebounds and finished with 13. . . . Despite beating Portland and improving to 3-1 in the preseason, Gentry wants to keep his team on an even keel. ``I don't feel any different right now than I would if we were 1-3 because it's the exhibition season,'' Gentry said. ``The most positive thing is I think it's great for our guys from a confidence standpoint. I think they are still exhibition games and we've got to keep that in perspective.'' . . . Tyrone Nesby didn't make the trip to Denver because he had treatment on two infected teeth.

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Photo: Clipper guard Early Boykins fights for a loose ball with Portland's Gary Grant in an exhibition game.

Kim D. Johnson/Associated Press