Team Fading, Not Fitch’s Hopes

Coach Bill Fitch says the Clippers, who have lost 20 of 28 games after a 6-4 start, can still make the playoffs. They’re only 1 1/2 games out of the eighth spot in the Western Conference.

“If we get Stanley Roberts back, we’re a different team,” Fitch said. “Ourselves, Dallas and San Antonio are struggling, while Sacramento and Phoenix are holding their own and Golden State can put points on the board.

“Almost every night, there is a struggle for the sixth, seventh and eighth spots in the standings. There are more key battles at six, seven and eight than above those three right now.”

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Although the Clippers play their next seven games at home, Fitch isn’t saying the schedule maker did the Clippers any favors.

The Clippers face Seattle tonight at the Pond of Anaheim and the Denver Nuggets at the Sports Arena on Friday.

Fitch doesn’t consider back-to-back games in Anaheim and the Sports Arena back-to-back home games. The Clippers were 2-2 in back-to-back games at the Pond and the Sports Arena last season.