With the Clippers having lost seven out of their last eight, the hot rumor has the team sending guard Kerry Kittles, center Chris Kaman and forward Chris Wilcox to the New Orleans Hornets for guard Baron Davis, a former UCLA Bruin.

Clipper coach Mike Dunleavy laughed at that idea.

"You'd have better odds taking your money to Las Vegas than betting on that one," he said.

An examination by Clippers' physician Tony Daly revealed a bulging disk in Kerry Kittles' lower back.

For at least two more weeks Kittles will not be available to play.

"Any time a player is going to be out for an extended period, it's not good," Coach Mike Dunleavy said Monday, "and especially in his case, because we've been anticipating his return pretty much the whole season."

All-Star guard Baron Davis was activated from the injured list by the New Orleans Hornets, who said he probably wouldn't play Tuesday night against the Clippers.

Davis played in the season's first five games, averaging 24.6 points and eight assists. But he has missed the next 18 games, going on the injured list Nov. 17 with an inflamed disc in his lower back.

The Los Angeles Clippers will be without guard Kerry Kittles for at least another two weeks due to a disc problem in his lower back.

Kittles has been bothered by back pain and numbness in his legs.  Extensive testing revealed a bulging disc in his back.

Kittles has played in just five games for the Clippers since being traded from New Jersey averaging 5.6 points and 2.4 assists in 22.2 minutes.

The Boston Celtics needed two overtimes to defeat the Clippers by a final score of 134-127.

Ricky Davis scored 34 points for the Celtics, with 7 of the points coming in the second overtime.

Corey Maggette had a career high 38 points to lead all scorers.

Some might call it a little bit of rookie hazing, however the league is taking it a little more seriously.  Elton Brand will not be allowed to play this Saturday versus the Clippers' cross-town rival, the LA Lakers, for pushing rookie Emeka Okafor in last Monday nights game.

"I was just trying to get him off me. Nothing malicious, no blows," Brand said after the Clippers' double-overtime victory. Brand shoved Okafor hard after the whistle blew. Brand apparently expected a foul against Okafor, and instead he was charged with a turnover.

Emaka Okafor is a bit confused over the Brand suspension as well.  "I don't think he meant to hit me," Okafor said. "That's why I wasn't mad at him. He was trying to move away and I just happened to be in the way."

This quick decision to suspend is no doubt due to the Pistons-Pacers brawl that took place on November 19th.

Los Angeles Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor made sure that the latest Mike Dunleavy, Jr. rumor was short lived.

Baylor was shocked at the idea of a three-way deal that had the Bulls sending Curry to Golden State, the Warriors sending small forward Mike Dunleavy, Jr. to the Clippers and the Clippers sending forward-center Chris Wilcox and forward Bobby Simmons to the Bulls.

"I would be crazy to do something like that," Baylor said. "Those two guys are having career seasons, and our team is off to a great start, our best in years. Why would I want to mess up a chemistry by giving away two very good players for one? Some of these rumors are downright crazy and really can't be done for salary-cap reasons."

Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. had said earlier that he would not want to put any added pressure on his son by having to play for his father.

The L.A. Clippers won their 4th overtime game in 4 attempts on Monday night, despite the ejection of Elton Brand, beating the Charlotte Bobcats by the score of 99-93 in double overtime.

Corey Maggette led the charge for the Clippers with 33 points.

Shooting guard Kareem Rush, acquired earlier in the day by the Bobcats from the Lakers for a pair of second-round draft picks, was in uniform but did not play.

Minnesota extended their winning streak to 5 games by ending the Clippers own 5 game winning streak on Saturday night, with a 107-100 overtime victory in Los Angeles.

"We were a little sluggish tonight, and the guys just needed me to get them going," Cassell said. "I took what they gave me and made shots. It's a simple game if you know how to play it."

The Clippers are off to the best start in their Los Angeles era at 10-7, and they know they could just as easily be 13-4.

"We had great opportunities in overtime, but we have to learn through experience how to close these games out," said Corey Maggette, who tied a career high with 34 points. "We executed well, but they're a veteran team and they play well together. When it came down to the end, Sam Cassell hit the clutch shots and ran his team."