Feeling More at Home on Road

The road is not the Clippers’ enemy.

That has been Coach Mike Dunleavy’s message to players since he joined the franchise, and it seems they’ve finally heard him.

The Clippers have shown significant improvement away from their home court in Dunleavy’s third season. With Friday’s 101-97 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics at KeyArena, the Clippers improved to 19-20 on the road, matching the 1974-75 Buffalo Braves in franchise history for most road victories in a season.

“Taking care of business on the road is definitely something Coach has talked about, and we’ve been better at this year,” co-captain Elton Brand said. “We’ve been a lot better.”

The Clippers had 10-31 road marks in Dunleavy’s first two seasons. What’s the difference?

“Well, talent for one thing,” Brand said. “We’ve also got that experience now, with guys like Sam [Cassell] and Cuttino [Mobley]. We’ve got that veteran presence that we didn’t have in the past.

“We’re also more comfortable on the road. We know that as long as we play the way we should play, we’re capable of beating anyone.”

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Seattle forward Chris Wilcox, who sat out Friday’s loss to his former team because of a sprained right foot, said he hoped to play tonight.

“I always wanted to go back and play those guys,” said Wilcox, traded Feb. 14 for forward Vladimir Radmanovic. “If you get traded from somewhere, you want to show them that you improved. I just want to let them know how big of a mistake they made.”

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Corey Maggette, sidelined the last five games because of a herniated disk, attended practice at the Spectrum Health Club in El Segundo and said he was feeling better. Maggette is scheduled to receive his second epidural injection Monday.

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At a charity game hosted by Cassell and Mobley, a team coached by Cassell defeated Mobley’s team, 125-120, at South Los Angeles High.

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TONIGHT

vs. Seattle, FSN Prime, 6

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150, 830.

Records -- Clippers 46-33, SuperSonics 33-46.

Record vs. SuperSonics -- 3-0.

Update -- This is the Clippers’ last regular-season game at Staples Center, where they are 27-13. The Clippers could sweep the SuperSonics in a season series for the first time in franchise history.