FITCH PROUD OF ROBERTS' PROGRESS : CLIPPERS VS. MIAMI HEAT.

Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer

It appears as if the Clippers will have a dependable Stanley Roberts for the long haul.

Roberts showed once again on Monday what he can do in the middle. Roberts scored 12 points in the first half, forcing the Chicago Bulls to put Dennis Rodman on him in the fourth quarter.

The center has raised his per-game scoring average to 11.5 in 23.1 minutes and continues to lose weight and gain confidence.

``I'm proud of Stanley,'' Clippers coach Bill Fitch said. ``He keeps developing. I told you, the less I see of him the more I like.''

Roberts is playing longer stretches and replacing starter Kevin Duckworth in the second and fourth quarters. Roberts' resurgence is a key part of the team's improved play.

``We're a good team, building on defense and hustle,'' Roberts said. ``And there's no doubt we'll get better.''

Roberts is simply bigger than most NBA centers and his agility inside enables him to score easy jumpers and bank shots. Only when Rodman, who has shut down the greatest of NBA scorers, was guarding him did Roberts have difficulty getting off shots.

``I feel like I'm getting better,'' Roberts said. ``I'm in this thing for the long run and I want to help this team win.''

Next assignment for Roberts: tonight against Miami's Alonzo Mourning.

Rodman being Rodman: The eccentric forward did speak to reporters after the victory over the Clippers on Monday and did make some very pointed comments.

``The NBA is going to sell itself out like football and baseball,'' Rodman said. ``I saw Shaquille O'Neal play the other night and they pay him $100 million and he still can't hit a free throw. That should tell you something.''

Rodman finished with an average night: two points and 14 rebounds. He admits his career is not going to last much longer.

``If we win it again, I'll come back,'' Rodman said. ``If we don't, I'm getting out. I've already made my mark in this game. I've got other things to do.''

He then walked to the team bus in a blue suede jacket and pink suede shoes.

Piatkowski ill: Guard Eric Piatkowski did not practice with the team on Tuesday because of the flu. It has not been a good stretch for Piatkowski, who was pulled from the Bulls game on Monday after missing a defensive assignment.

Piatkowski is averaging 5.3 points in 10.4 minutes per contest. His status for tonight is questionable.

Just waiting: Lorenzen Wright's 3.8 minutes per game is by the far the least of June's 11 lottery picks. But the rookie from Memphis is waiting patiently for his turn to play.

``I want to play more, but I've got to wait my turn,'' Wright said. ``It's been hard being on the bench, but the team is playing well and that's what I'm concerned about.''

Wright is 12 of 19 from the field and has scored 25 points in his 38 minutes of play.

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m., Sports Arena

TV/Radio: TBS (subject to blackout); KNEWS (540/1260 AM)

Clippers (6-7) update: Making their only national-television appearance of the season, the Clippers are in a key stretch, with Utah and New Jersey next. Guard Malik Sealy leads the team in scoring with 14.2 points per game but is shooting 37 percent from the field. Look for Bo Outlaw to get some time guarding Alonzo Mourning, which could give the Clippers a defensive advantage.

Heat (10-4) update: The Heat is in first place in the Atlantic Division and is finishing a six-game West Coast road trip. Miami is led by Mourning and Tim Hardaway, who is averaging 18.1 points per game at point guard. He has taken more shots than Mourning, who is supposed to be the centerpiece of the Miami offense. Dan Majerle and Sasha Danlovic are the supporting cast in double figures along with newly acquired P.J. Brown. Forward Kurt Thomas is out two months with a broken ankle. Pat Riley's defense is allowing opponents just over 90 points per game.

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Box: CLIPPERS VS. MIAMI HEAT (see text)