Dooling Understands Why He’s on the Bench

In 10 of their first 12 games, he was the Clippers’ starting point guard. In their last two, Keyon Dooling never left the bench.

“I haven’t been playing well, so it’s understandable,” Dooling said before Wednesday night’s 90-80 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Clippers’ second in a row after a six-game losing streak. “I think I’ve been playing too passive, not being aggressive enough on offense.

“There’s definitely got to be a change in my play. I’ve missed some shots, so I’ve been hesitant. I can’t let that [poor shooting] affect my game.”

Dooling averages 21 minutes, 5.3 points and 2.8 assists. He has made 36.8% of his shots, two of 14 from beyond the three-point arc. Without him, the Clippers defeated the Cavaliers and, two nights earlier, the San Antonio Spurs.

“I can deal with it,” he said. “I’m a professional, so I’m going to handle myself as a professional. I’m not going to let that take away from the [victories], being selfish. That’s not me. I’m a team player.

“If me not playing means we’re going to win, that’s life. But obviously I feel I can help our team. I haven’t been playing well, but I don’t think our guards have played well as a whole, and I think Coach [Mike Dunleavy] wanted to give Doug [Overton] and Marko [Jaric] a chance. Hopefully, it will come back around to me.”

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What has Chris Kaman learned about his fellow NBA players?

“They don’t play as hard as they do in college,” the hyperkinetic rookie said late Wednesday after scoring 14 points and taking 14 rebounds against the Cavaliers. “They really don’t. It’s because they have so many games.

“I’m going to see what I can do, what I can get away with playing hard the whole time. Hopefully, I can get away with it and complete the season.”

Though bothered by back and leg injuries, Kaman has played in every game.

He had 15 points and 12 rebounds in 32 minutes against the Spurs, played a season-high 36 minutes Wednesday and is averaging 6.5 points and 5.6 rebounds.

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Reserve forward Bobby Simmons, wearing a protective mask, is expected to play tonight against the Utah Jazz despite suffering a broken nose Thursday in practice after taking an elbow from Olden Polynice.

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TONIGHT

at Utah, 6 PST

Fox Sports Net 2

Site -- Delta Center.

Radio -- XTRA (690/1150).

Records -- Clippers 6-8, Jazz 10-7.

Record vs. Jazz (2002-03) -- 1-3.

Update -- Chris Wilcox and Eddie House are questionable for the Clippers, who have lost 27 of their last 28 games at Utah. The Jazz is 9-1 at home.