CLIPPERS NOTEBOOK: TAYLOR TAKES DAY OFF AS PRECAUTION.

Byline: Randy Hill Staff Writer

Realizing the Clippers offense has booked a six-month ride on his deltoids, Maurice Taylor decided to spend Tuesday in the shop for minor maintenance.

``I can practice now and play now,'' said Taylor, whose bruised left shoulder prevented him from participating in the Clippers' latest workout, ``or sit out this practice and be ready to play Nov. 2.''

The shoulder injury occurred in Phoenix last week by an inadvertent, returning -to-earth elbow from former teammate Rodney Rogers.

But evidence that the injury isn't serious was gathered last weekend, when Taylor scored 45 points and had 20 rebounds in exhibition victories over Vancouver and Seattle.

``It's not too bad,'' said Taylor, who plans to play in tonight's exhibition home-opener against the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center. ``I wanted to make sure it (the shoulder) was right.''

Murdock-umentation: After missing the first four rehearsal games with an ankle sprain, veteran point guard Eric Murdock made his unofficial Clippers debut last weekend.

``He played well,'' coach Chris Ford said of Murdock, who averaged 10 points in the two wins. ``He shot the ball well, knocked down the open shots off the double-teams inside.

``He's a steady, consistent player.''

Murdock, who was acquired from New Jersey in a deal that sent Johnny Newman to the Nets, has welcomed the opportunity to join a team offering a significant role.

``For me, everything was positive, basketball-wise,'' said Murdock, who left Miami as a free agent for his home-state Nets before last season. ``We've been playing well, working hard, and that's the key. We dont' have a lot of experience, so we have to work harder than the other team.''

Leg injuries limited Murdock's experience to 15 games last season, one year after his gig as caddy to Tim Hardaway in Miami. But Murdock, 31, did average 14 points and more than six assists over three full seasons in Milwaukee.

Fast breaks: Because of a death in the family, Clippers sixth man Tyrone Nesby will not be with the team for tonight's game.