Marko

Jaric

If it is determined that the injury has healed sufficiently, Jaric expects to be cleared for full-scale practice. Jaric will start at the point this season, and be joined in the starting lineup by Kerry Kittles, Corey Maggette, Elton Brand, and Chris Kaman.

While Jaric has been out, rookie Shaun Livingston has had the chance to impress coach Mike Dunleavy.

Kerry Kittles (knee) and Zeljko Rebraca, meanwhile, remain non-committal about their availability tonight.

The pain became so bad that he asked to be taken out of the Washington game on Friday and missed Saturday’s game. The fact he has gone back to L.A. while the team is in Florida is a very bad sign for his owners. You have to consider picking Shaun Livingston up if you own Jaric.

He may not be ready to play 30+ minutes, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to leave him reserved for another week.

The front-runners are Marko Jaric and Keyon Dooling, but Dunleavy also tried shooters Eddie House and, briefly, rookie Marcus Hatten, at the point. ''If it doesn’t improve,’' Dunleavy said, ''it will be a major concern.’' It’s best to stay away from the Clippers backcourt, but if you must take a point guard, lean towards Jaric.

''As far as Marko’s concerned, we just have no idea, really,’' coach Mike Dunleavy said. ''It sounds like it’s not going to be long term, but I don’t know how quickly.’' Keyon Dooling appears to have taken back the starting point guard job, so Jaric probably won’t have any value once he returns.

“It’s not a huge injury, but we’ll see,” Jaric said.

Jarci is on the injured list with a stress fracture in his left foot.

''There may be [other] matchups where we think it makes more sense to go a different way. But for now he has the job,’' coach Mike Dunleavy said. Jaric averages 7.9 points and 3.7 assists, but both figures should increase with him starting. Only pick him up if you need assists and there are no better options. Keyon Dooling will back up Jaric and has little value.