Movement Sought to Help Shooting

The Clippers have lost three in a row and it’s mainly because of poor shooting:

* Point guard Troy Hudson is 0 for 8 from the field and has two assists compared to four turnovers over the last two games.

* Shooting guard Eric Piatkowski, a 39% career three-point shooter, has made only one of his last nine three-point attempts.

* Rookie Lamar Odom has missed 37 of his last 60 shots from the floor and has shot better than 50% only once in his last eight games.

On Wednesday, Coach Chris Ford put in more plays in an attempt to get the Clippers to move more without the basketball. In their 14-point loss to Phoenix on Tuesday, they stood around too much for Ford’s taste.

“I was not quick of foot as a player,” said Ford, a former Boston Celtic, “but I knew how to use a pick to get open. If a big guy is going to use his body to help get me open, I’m going to do everything I can to help set my man up.”

*

Ford hinted he will stick with the starting lineup he used against the Suns tonight against Houston. Eric Murdock will start at point guard, Derek Anderson at shooting guard, Michael Olowokandi at center, Maurice Taylor at power forward and Odom at small forward.

TONIGHT

vs. Houston, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 4-10, Rockets 4-12.

* Record vs. Rockets (1999)--1-3.

* Update--Odom will face fellow rookie Steve Francis for the first time. Francis, drafted second overall by Vancouver and later traded to Houston, is averaging 17.6 points, 6.6 assists and 5.3 rebounds a game, but he left Wednesday’s double-overtime loss to Phoenix because of an injured ankle. Center Kelvin Cato will start in place of Hakeem Olajuwon, who had hernia surgery Wednesday. Forward Charles Barkley is averaging 15.3 points and 12.1 rebounds.

* Tickets--(213) 745-0500 or (213) 480-3232.