PLAYER NOTES:

--G Alex Acker, who recently was acquired from the Detroit Pistons, was a teammate two years ago of 2003 Clippers second-round draft pick Sofoklis Schortsanitis. Acker averaged 14.6 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Greek team Olympiacos. Last year, Acker played with the top Spanish League team, FC Barcelona and averaged 6.7 points in 30 games. The audition for Acker amounts to a free look for the Clippers because cash considerations were included in his acquisition.

--G Eric Gordon could be on the verge of making Chicago Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro eat his words. Del Negro said less than a month ago that the Rookie of the Year award was a lock for his guard Derrick Rose. But Gordon has scored in double-figures in 28 consecutive games and 33 of the past 34 games. He already has 17 games with 20 or more points. Gordon was the NBA's Western Conference Rookie of the Month for January.

--G Mardy Collins is back in the rotation, after missing the 11 games leading into the All-Star break with a strained left calf. Collins said he is not fully healthy but is well enough to play.

MEDICAL WATCH:

--F/C Marcus Camby (inner ear infection) was stymied by a migraine prior to the All-Star break. But it was a sprained left ankle that disrupted the string of points-rebounds double-double games that Camby had put together.

--F/C Brian Skinner (sore right Achilles' tendon) has been trying to play through the discomfort of this injury for several weeks.

--G Mike Taylor (fractured right thumb) likely will be cleared to begin practicing full speed if his next medical evaluation checks out positive. Dunleavy said it is possible that Taylor could resume playing by next week.

--C Chris Kaman (plantar fasciitis left foot) has stepped up his court activity and is on the verge of being cleared for full-contact practice. It should be no more than a week-and-a-half before Kaman is cleared.