Elton Brand of the Los Angeles Clippers is the recipient of the Joe Dumars Trophy presented to the 2005-06 NBA Sportsmanship Award winner, the NBA announced today.

Originally presented following the 1995-96 season, the Sportsmanship Award honors a player who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court -- ethical behavior, fair play and integrity. The trophy is named for former Detroit Pistons guard and Hall of Famer Joe Dumars, the award?s first recipient.

The L.A. Clippers ended a 13-year road playoff drought and moved within one victory of the franchise's first series win in 30 years by beating the Denver Nuggets 100-86 Saturday night.

"It's a great feeling, but we can't get lackadaisical. We have to come out with some fight," forward Elton Brand said. "I don't know what else to say. When we get to the second round, it will be like, 'Welcome to the party.'"

Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony was stunned after the loss, staring at the back of his locker with a towel draped over his head.

"This right here really hurts, to lose on our home court the way we did," Anthony said.

Mike Dunleavy will return to coach the Los Angeles Clippers next season, ESPN's Jim Gray reported on Saturday.

The final year of Dunleavy's four-year contract is an option year, and Dunlaevy told Gray that the Clippers want him back.

Under Dunlaevy, the Clippers have had their best season since the franchise left Buffalo for California, finishing fifth in the Western Conference.

The Nuggets made it a series on Thursday night by defeating the Clippers by a final score of 94-87, but one player is considering defecting when the season is over.

Sam Cassell is a free agent and could see himself reuniting with his former coach.

"I would like to stay here, but ... I know there are going to be some other teams that are going to make me an offer," Cassell said. "Maybe Denver. I think George Karl has really respected me even more because of my leadership abilities to get guys to come out and perform the way they are supposed to perform. That makes it so easy for a coach.I'd listen. I owe him that much respect. The Clippers are my first choice. They've got to be fair with me."

"I'm not going to comment other than Sam's a great player. I'm impressed at his longevity. It's incredible," said Karl, who later added, "Sam's just posturing."

Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman suffered a sprained right ankle in Monday?s Game 2 victory over the Denver Nuggets.

Kaman did not practice today and is a game time decision for Game 3 at Denver tomorrow.

NBA general managers picked Los Angeles Clippers? Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor to win the Executive of the Year Award, according to respondents of the 2006 NBA.com GM Awards Survey.  

In the exclusive survey, Baylor received eight first-place votes, 4 second-place votes and six third-place votes for a total of 58 points. Five points were awarded for first-place votes, three for second-place and one for third-place. Finishing second to Baylor was Bryan Colangelo of the Toronto Raptors (34 points) while Donnie Nelson of the Dallas Mavericks (20 points) finished third.

Some people believe that the Nuggets have a big advantage when playing in Denver because of the altitude, so the Clippers will practice in Denver on Wednesday to get used to the elevation.

"I guess it's true," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said of the effect of the thin air on visiting teams. "But (as a player) I never felt it. I was in great shape. I never thought about it."

"It's different," point guard Sam Cassell said. "But if you're going to use that as an excuse, you shouldn't play. Is it that big of a difference? We'll see."

Sam Cassell will become a free agent at the end of the season and despite having a stellar year, the Clippers have yet to approach his agent, Charles Tucker, about a new contract.

?I want to be honorable, and I want them to be honorable,? Tucker said Monday at the Clippers? morning shootaround. ?I don?t want to talk about contracts right now, because Sam is here to try to win a championship and he has to be honorable, too.?

Kenyon Martin sat out the second half of the Nuggets game 2 loss to the Clippers, and according to teammate Ruben Patterson it is more than his injured knee which kept him out.

"He ain't hurt or nothing," Patterson said. "He just wanted to be in the game. I don't want to get into details about that."

Later, he added: "I was a little worried about him. I'm a little frustrated by things. I've been with that guy since college. I've just got to keep his head up, because he's hurting right now.

"Not physically, just mentally. He wanted to be in the game tonight. He didn't get in the game. He was very angry. I've just got to stick by his side, me and D.J. (DerMarr Johnson). We are the only guys he communicates and talks to. But we need Kenyon, man."

The Nuggets reported that Martin was out with a left knee bruise in the second half.

The L.A. Clippers have successfully defended their home court advantage, winning game 2  98-87 to take a 2-0 series lead.