ROBERTS MIGHT BE DOWN FOR A WHILE : CHARLOTTE AT CLIPPERS.

Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer

As if things weren't bad enough in the midst of a six-game losing streak, the Clippers received more distressing news on Monday.

Center Stanley Roberts could miss a week with a back injury.

An MRI revealed Roberts, the team's third-leading scorer and most dominant inside player, has a small rupture of a disc in his lower back. Roberts has taken a series of tumbles this season, landing on his back three weeks ago against Seattle and aggravating it Saturday against New Jersey.

Roberts has fought injuries throughout his career and finally was playing consistently after two torn Achilles' tendons in the past three years. Roberts will miss at least tonight's game against Charlotte, and his status for the three-game trip to Chicago, New York and Cleveland is questionable.

``We're going to need some guys to step up now,'' Clippers coach Bill Fitch said. ``Stanley needs to rest his back.''

The club has considered signing a center to fill in for Roberts, but Fitch says there aren't many available. The Clippers have Kevin Duckworth, who is not in shape; Dwayne Schintzius, who hasn't played this season because of a sprained ankle; rookie Lorenzen Wright, who Fitch wants to play at power forward if he ever gets the chance, and Bo Outlaw, who plays everything.

Fitch said Wright will get extensive playing time along with Outlaw because Duckworth can't handle playing more minutes.

``The rook (Wright) will be thrown into the fire,'' Fitch said. ``There's no guys out there better than we have now. If he puts some weight on that body, the Rook may be a pretty good center.''

Schintzius practiced with the team on Monday but is favoring his left ankle. If he does return soon, it will not be in a major role because he is not in playing shape.

Malik Sealy also had an MRI on his injured ankle and it was negative. Sealy has been bothered by the ankle, but the MRI was precautionary. His status for tonight's game will be determined at game time.

More injuries, anyone? Eric Piatkowski did not practice on Monday and continues to be plagued with the flu. The third-year guard is on the injured list and the earliest possible return date is Sunday at Cleveland.

However, Fitch, who wants Piatkowski to practice as soon as he's healthy, doesn't know whether Piatkowski will make the trip.

And when he does return, the Clippers will have to make another move to clear a spot on the roster. Brent Barry was activated when Piatkowski was placed on the injured list.

The Clippers will not put Roberts on the injured list but instead will wait for his back to heal. At a crucial time, with the club desperate for a win, the absence of Roberts will be costly.

``I think we have a chance to be pretty good with a healthy Stanley,'' Fitch said. ``We need to get him back soon.''

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

On the air: No TV; Radio: KNEWS-AM (540/1260).

Clippers (6-10) update: The team is on a six-game losing streak and needs a victory before leaving on a three-game trip to Chicago, New York and Cleveland. It will play without Stanley Roberts, who is out with a bad back. That means Lorenzen Wright, Kevin Duckworth or Charles Outlaw could start at center. Outlaw injured his hand Monday trying to stop a Rodney Rogers dunk in practice. Darrick Martin could make his third consecutive start, after scoring a combined 30 points in the past two games.

Hornets (8-7) update: This game marks Vlade Divac's first return to Los Angeles after being traded from the Lakers. Divac is averaging 11 points and nine rebounds per game. The Hornets also have been boosted by the return of guard Muggsy Bogues, who was out for nearly a year with knee problems. Three-point specialists Glen Rice and Dell Curry could cause problems for the Clippers. The Hornets are in the middle of a seven-game trip and play at Portland on Friday.

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Box: CHARLOTTE AT CLIPPERS (see text)