SCHINTZIUS, BARRY OUT INJURED; STARTING CENTER A MYSTERY : CLIPPERS VS. GOLDEN STATE.

The Clippers finalized their roster Thursday by putting center Dwayne Schintzius on the injured list, along with guard Brent Barry.

While Barry's placement was a expected because of a sprained left thumb, coach Bill Fitch waited until the last minute to decide on Schintzius, who actually sprained his right ankle while in Santa Barbara three weeks ago.

The veteran center has been the least productive of the Clippers' three big men in the exhibition season, shooting just 18 percent from the field. Putting Schintzius on the injured list means the Clippers will go with Kevin Duckworth and Stanley Roberts as their two centers for the first five games, including tonight's season opener against Golden State in San Jose.

The earliest Schintzius could return is Nov. 12 at Vancouver, and the Clippers will have to make additional roster moves when he and Barry return.

``We're really hurt by not having Brian Williams here,'' Fitch said. ``It means we have to find some other people to do the job.''

While Fitch has been pleased with the work ethic of Duckworth, he has been at odds with Roberts since camp began because of Roberts' lack on conditioning. In the club's final preseason practice, which lasted 2-1/2 hours, Roberts sat out due to the flu. He said some medication aggravated his asthma.

``I don't know what he's out for,'' Fitch said. ``But we need him in here.''

Roberts said he is close to being in shape. But Fitch would not reveal which center would start tonight in San Jose.

Butterflies taking flight: Fitch said Pooh Richardson will get the start tonight at point guard, with Terry Dehere and Darrick Martin coming off the bench.

Richardson, who is beginning his eighth season, is the club leader.

That stability convinced Fitch to put Richardson in tonight's starting lineup.

``He'll have butterflies because it's the opener,'' Fitch conceded. ``But they will be smaller butterflies, so it will take a smaller net to catch them. The other guys will have big butterflies.''

Is there a question? Fitch was non-committal about whether power forward Loy Vaught is a sure starter for tonight's game.

The team's leading scorer last season has been off to a slow start in the exhibition season, and Fitch has been impressed with the play of versatile Bo Outlaw, who can play three different positions.

``I have no problem going with Bo,'' Fitch said. ``If we have 12 of him, I would take on anybody.''

Piatkowski's the man: Barry's injury opens up an opportunity for swingman Eric Piatkowski to get more minutes in the first five games. The third-year player from Nebraska has something to prove. He's shown he can hit the 3-pointer and penetrate but has not been consistent in doing either.

``He needs to do one of those things well,'' Fitch said. ``He has the potential to be a scorer but like a lot of guys, he's got to do it every night.''

Tip off: 7:30 p.m., San Jose Arena.

TV/Radio: No TV, KNEWS (540/1260).

Clippers update: The Clippers enter their 14th season in Los Angeles missing a big missing piece in Brian Williams. The team also will be without Brent Barry and Dwayne Schintzius because of injury. Don't be surprised if 300-plus pound Kevin Duckworth is the starting center tonight. Duckworth wasn't even on the roster four weeks ago. Pooh Richardson, Malik Sealy, Loy Vaught and Rodney Rogers should be the other starters. But Fitch wouldn't say whether the veteran Vaught is a sure starter.

Warriors update: The Clippers aren't the only team with a center problem. Rony Seikaly, holding out and demanding to be traded, was put on the suspended list Thursday. There appears to be no way he'll play in a Warriors uniform. That doesn't overshadow the team's first regular-season game in its temporary home of San Jose Arena while the Oakland Coliseum Arena is remodeled. The new face in Golden State is veteran Mark Price, who will backup B.J. Armstrong at point guard. The other Warriors starters are Latrell Sprewell, Joe Smith, Chris Mullin and rookie center Todd Fuller.

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