CLIPS DON'T WANT SUN TO COME UP NASH STRUGGLES, AND L.A. WANTS TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

Byline: JOE STEVENS Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO -- Shh, don't say anything to jinx the way Steve Nash is shooting. Don't say a word that could possibly bring the two-time NBA MVP out of his shooting slump.

That's the type of approach the Clippers are taking into Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals tonight in Phoenix. Over the past twogames, they have held Nash to 30percent shooting (6 of 20), and their defense on the point guard has been key to their success in the series.

Nash could be due for a hot shooting night.

``Don't say things like that,'' Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. ``Of course, we know Steve is a great player. We pay a lot of attention to him. By the grace of God, he's missed some shots. We hope it stays that way.''

The Clippers' trio of Cuttino Mobley, Shaun Livingston and Quinton Ross have had the duty of defending Nash, and they've slowed him down.

Nash's scoring has declined throughout the series, from 31 points in Game 1 to 14 points, 12 and then eight in Game 4. Limiting Nash, who shot 51.2 percent in the regular season, has helped the Clippers even the series at two games apiece.

``We've been doing a pretty good job on him,'' Livingston said. ``But you can't say we've stopped him because he still gets everyone else involved.``

Despite being held to single-digits in Game 4, which the Clippers won 114-107, Nash dished out 11 assists. He has averaged 10.2 assists per game in the series.

The thought might be a sprained ankle is still hampering him, but the Clippers don't see him hobbling.

``I don't think so,'' Livingston said. ``I think he's just coming out playing. He's a guy who doesn't force the game. Whatever the defense gives him, he'll take. If he has two points and 16 assists and they win by 20, that's a successful game. And I think that's a true quality of an MVP, which he is.''

Part of the Clippers' gameplan is to limit his scoring. By doing so, they are forcing other Suns to come up big. In Game 4, that was Raja Bell, who scored a career-high 33 points.

What was interesting about the defensive success on Nash in Game 4 was that the Clippers altered their scheme. Previously, they had started Ross, their defensive stopper, on him. But in Game 4, Mobley drew the task.

``Coach told me I had to guard Steve,'' Mobley said. ``He's a tough assignment. But ... whatever you want me to do on the court, I'm going to do it. I used my length on him and made it work. Steve is crafty. He sees everybody. When he makes good plays, you have to live with it. There's nothing you can do.''

Although Los Angeles allowed the Suns to score 130points in Game 1, the Clippers have limited them to 99.3points in the other three games.

``After that first game that we got out of our system, where they scored 130, I've been really proud of how we've played defensively,'' Brand said. ``We've had some lapses and miscues and missed assignments, but other than that, we've played well.''

--Notes: Clippers center Chris Kaman's status is in question for tonight's game because of a strained right shoulder.

Kaman still had a hard time raising his right arm Monday, could not practice and received treatment practically all day until the team flew to Phoenix in the afternoon. He had an MRI in the morning, and it came back negative.

If Kaman is unable to go, sharp-shooting Vladimir Radmanovic is expected to start in his place.

``You hate to miss anybody, and (Kaman is) an important part of what we do,'' Dunleavy said. ``But the most important thing is to have somebody healthy who can perform up to a high level. The other night (in Game 4), the versatility of our team kicked in.''

It appears Dunleavy will stick with Corey Maggette, who started his first playoff game Sunday and responded with 18 points and 15 rebounds.

``We felt a couple things (with Maggette getting the start in Game 4),'' Dunleavy said. ``One is that Corey has been rebounding the ball very well for us. And they went with a bigger lineup, so we thought, if they're going to put Shawn Marion on Sam (Cassell), it was in our best interests to have Steve Nash guard Cuttino (Mobley) or Corey.''

[e-mail]

[phone]

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

(color) Steve Nash has shot 30 percent in the past two games against the Clippers.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer

Box:

CLIPPERS vs. PHOENIX